took to the road in May to celebrate our our 50th Anniversary with
Kellettonians around the world
Our inaugural OK Award for Kindness recognises an oustanding contribution to teenage mental health
We wrap up the fourth year of Outreach, our Saturday enrichment sessions for children from low income families
Visit the newly completed Sixth Form Centre, and check out PFL’s new Art Room which kicks off the campus redevelopment
Students learn to share their voice on stage
We
staff members
Kowloon Bay Campus stone laying ceremony
Hollie Arnulphy
Harriet Rhodes
Photography
Anthony Domingo
Donald Ma
Beryl Yim
Illustrations
From the Principal & CEO
As I flick through the photos of our 50th celebrations it is with feelings of utter joy Our community Golden Jubilee celebration in particular was undoubtedly the highlight of my time at Kellett thus far Seeing our families come together to mark our momentous milestone was special and a day I shall treasure always. The feature article in this edition explores Kellett’s growth from a PFL Primary to two Preps and a Senior School in Kowloon Bay. The vision and dynamism of those leading the school at the time echo the foresight of our founders back in 1976 Kellett has a rich history of growth, not for riches, but for sound educational reasons that always put students first As we continue to realise Kellett Vision 2035 we continue in that vain, taking purposeful steps to retain ‘Kellettness’ at each and every turn.
Paul Tough Principal & CEO
The Founding Head Teacher meets the current Principal
Native Tongue Happy Birthday Kellett Messages in Senior School
I currently live in Tampere, Finland with my Finnish husband and I work in the Marketing field for the city. In my free time I hang out with friends, play Dungeons & Dragons, organise piano recitals and enjoy football matches
I owe a lot to Kellett and I had a wonderful childhood thanks to the school As a Spaniard, I was exposed to the English language (I still remember my first day at Kellett and how shy I was) and the special culture you find in Hong Kong that was part of Kellett. I still laugh about being a Spaniard who was chosen to represent the school in a joint Hong Kong Island Netball team against Kowloon.
During those school years, we were encouraged to learn and we built a foundation of knowledge, due to the many subjects and sports we were exposed to, which has stayed with me throughout the years and helped me still be curious and keep learning in my adult years I have my teachers and the school to thank for that
My knowledge of music and love for it most definitely started and was cemented in Kellett where we all started with the recorder and then encouraged to play an additional instrument, which was very normal for us and I feel it was a cultural aspect as well. I remember song practice very well. In fact I can still remember some of the songs and sing them today, such as Rainbow Connection and Bright Eyes.
Best wishes,
Cristina
OKs, if you are interested in sharing an update with the community reach out to us at alumni@kellettschool.com and we’ll be happy to include you into a future postcard!
Cristina (left) playing tenor recorder for the school band
Attracted by the excitement of working overseas, Annette Malcolm, applied for a job as a Reception teacher at Kellett in 2005. Little did she know that, 20 years later, she would be one of the longest-serving members of staff
originally trained as a nursery nurse and I’d been working in Manchester with children with hearing impairment,” says Annette “I worked with some wonderful teachers and I thought, actually I think I can do this, so off I went and got my teaching degree ”
Annette began working part-time at the Pok Fu Lam campus and moved to full-time when a job became available “Kellett was, and is, a delightful school,” she says “From the minute I walked in, I found it small, warm and inviting.”
She fondly remembers many of the initial people she worked with, describing the then principal, Ann Mc Donald, as ‘like a mummy to us. ’ “She really was an amazing Head,” says Annette, “I was very fortunate to work with her ” She
Head,” says Annette, “I was very fortunate to work with her.” She recalls many teachers who were established in Hong Kong and were generous with their knowledge and experience, on hand to guide the ‘newbies,’ through their work and personal life. “We worked away from home, so the Kellett community became family and it was that care and support that helped you get through the tough times,” says Annette
Shortly after arriving in Hong Kong Annette met her husband Ian, also a teacher (of Maths at ESF) They celebrate their 20th anniversary this year and their two sons are both in the Senior School She relishes the diverse group of friends they have and the wonderful opportunities Kellett provides
wonderful opportunities Kellett provides
“When I was invited to move to Kowloon Bay, I was excited, but I was also a little bit worried and anxious,” says Annette “We visited the campus many times and I really didn’t think it would be ready on time! During the few weeks leading up to the opening date, we had our brushes out, we were cleaning, we were setting up classrooms, we were up to our knees in grime and all sorts, but it was lots of fun ” She recalls how Ann and her team were so sure that it would be ready for opening day and remembers a real sense of pride in being part of the setup team and the first group of people to be part of Kowloon Bay
“There was a member of staff per year group who were able to move across to the new campus, so our practice continued in the same way with the same sense of teamwork we’d felt in Pok Fu Lam,” says Annette “Of course, we also had this amazing new building, sdsd
The herculean effort required to prepare the KLB Campus
assemblies and performances “It’s things like this and our Feel Good Fridays that really engender a love of learning and confidence for life,” she says “The last one was about feeling good about who you are as an individual and respecting everyone in your school and in the local community as well.” She says she sees the pride her students feel when visitors come into the school or when they visit other local areas
Annette relishes teaching Reception where she enjoys seeing ‘visible leaps in confidence in and learning’, and estimates having taught over 500 children over her career at both Prep Schools
“Kellett really is a lovely place to work,” Annette says “It is with great excitement that we celebrate our 50th anniversary. I feel quite honoured to be a part of something so wonderful Bring on the next 50 years!”
Dear OKs,
Hello Kellettonian community! Seventeen years ago, I moved from my beloved Hong Kong to the pristine state of Maine in the northeast of the US It took me some time to adapt from a Hong Kong journalist and arts writer, to a book publicist and then content marketer These days, I'm spending half my week working on my own creative projects in our house the forest, and the other half working as a publicist and content marketing consultant in the historic Old Port of Portland. My most exciting recent project has been helping a marketing agency build a new book publishing arm. This March published 'Your Turn' by the former CEO and award-winning business leader, Tom Watson. Tom had a stroke in 2021, and in his memoir he tells the story of building a half-billion-dollar company from the back of his pick-up truck (he built and renovated much of Portland), as well as the story of rebuilding his own body, mind, and life after nearly dying from a brain injury It's a very strong and moving story, very funny at times, and particularly powerful in May, which is both Mental Health Awareness month and National Stroke Awareness Month
Best, Clare
OKs, if you are interested in sharing an update with the community reach out to us at alumni@kellettschool.com and we’ll be happy to include you into a future postcard!
(Above) Clare (Bottom Row, Right) in her class photo in 1986.
KELLETT GROWS UP
In 1996 Kellett's founding Head, Mrs Steer, is ready to retire. Ann Mc Donald, a Primary Headteacher with experience in Hong Kong, is recruited to take Kellett to the next stage of its development.
hen the nervousness around the handover was proved to be unfounded, Hong Kong quickly rebounds Ann Mc Donald, under Dr John Cribbin’s chairmanship, makes adaptions to the curriculum to keep pace with educational advances in the U K As a result, demand for Kellett’s welcoming primary in Pok Fu Lam is high
Fortuitously, during a clear out, Ann finds some faded plans for an extension to PFL The prospect of additional space proves tempting With the support of new the Chair, David Kidd, plans for an extension wing are remodelled slightly and, in typical Kellett fashion, parents get stuck in with fundraising for decoration costs and new furniture.
Opening in 2007, the Mountain Wing, adds specialist science, drama and dance areas, along with classrooms Demand for places continues to rise in response to the enhanced facilities, growing academic confidence and small class sizes
Success, however, brings its own challenges Kellett begins to experience difficulties placing children into senior schools, most notably ESF. Significantly, children begin to leave as early as Year 4 to secure spots with a guaranteed place in senior Demand for Kellett’s upper years falls away, class sizes shrink, and there is growing concern that Kellett may no longer be viable
Consensus for Senior
David Coles, educational advisor to the board, who has a wealth of experience as a Head and school inspector, including many years at ESF, plants a seed at a board meeting – perhaps Kellett could have its own senior school.
Support among the Board, parents and staff grows quickly Fortunately, the Mountain Wing extension has created some capacity, and a decision is taken to run Years 7 & 8, to allow transfer to UK boarding schools at Year 9.
Having worked on the UK’s National Strategy on Literacy for Years 7-9 she is the perfect person to design a curriculum from scratch.
The third recruit is Liz Everett Employed to teach History & Geography, Liz arrives in 2007 to a starter pack of groceries 'I was blown away that Ann would make this effort for me!’ recalls Liz. ‘It was my first indication that Kellett would become not just a place of employment, but a pseudo family too ’
Planning begins in earnest and efforts to find a permanent home for the Senior School commences. Ann seeks advice from as many quarters as she can During a FOBISIA conference a head gives her some critical advice ‘You need to have somebody in at the beginning that knows wha school will look like at the Otherwise, there's the dange perpetuating a system that is designed for younger students ’
Ann persuades the Board that with only 17 students they nee experienced Head of Senior advert follows, and one applic shines UK-trained Simon Giddin head of physics at South I School and critically, has been of a successful start-up scho Beijing Ann is blown away b good fortune. ‘To find someon that calibre who is willing to tak risk on the promise of a schoo has no site, not completed its fu and only 17 children was incred
Jacquie Hills is the second re hired to teach English and Dr fmfm
Curriculum plans are sketched out on a long scroll of brown paper, peppered with Post-It notes Finding space wherever they can in PFL, Simon teaches Physics, Maths, Science, Design & Technology, Jacquie English and Drama, Liz History, Geography and PSHE, and teachers from the Primary help support Sport and Languages ‘The staff from PFL helped infuse the Kellett ethos for the first few years on campus That was a very positive way for us to bridge from Primary into Secondary. It was important,’ notes Simon.
Year 7 begins with 17 students ‘It was visionary We all brought a lot
As Educational Advisor to the Kellett Board from1992-2019
David Coles' wise counsel was integral to school's development over almost three decades Bringing an enormous amount of experience as a Head Teacher of multiple schools and a School Inspector, his strategic advice has been vital over the years He always championed a student-oriented philosophy, alongside academic excellence, and also posed the all-important suggestion that we start our own secondary back h l 2000
The first Senior School Class
By the time the first cohort rolled over into Year 8, there are signs of demand, with Kellett able to fill a Year 7 class However, as they approach Year 9, space at PFL is maxed out and no alternative has been found. The difficult decision is taken to help the students transfer to alternative senior schools
Shau Kei Wan
Ann and David have been in consultation with the EDB about finding a permanent site, whilst simultaneously pressing them for a temporary one In 2009 the EDB offers a short-term solution - sharing an
with for ol
The site has been totally vandalised, with everything of value stripped out Simon shows the staff the neglected site ‘Wow, he had vision, because my recollection of that initial viewing is mainly of dead leaves and graffiti!’ recollects Liz.
Both schools come together to renovate the campus Remarkably, the site is refurbished in just 60 days The resulting transformation was profound, resulting in a beautiful campus with open air corridors and light airy classrooms. It facilitates further growth in student numbers and the recruitment of subject specialists Every new staff member spends time at
Sam Hill has strong connections to Hong Kong. Her mother was raised here, she herself born here, so she’s delighted to get the role as Head of PE She brings experience from a UK grammar and day school in London’s Chelsea, a suitably urban environment
Qi Zhu was the sole Chinese teacher at a state school on the Scottish Borders, where she created all the teaching materials This proves exceptionally helpful when she joins, along with Moneer Xiao, to establish Mandarin.
Over the four years at Shau Kei Wan the school grows rapidly from around 30 students to over 150 Simon remembers
at PFL to ‘understand Kellett’
Before & After Photos of the Shau Kei Wan Campus
Shau Kei Wan
remembers it as a time of firsts. ‘Every year there were firsts, the first studentled conference, the first whole school performance etc Every time you do a first, you're setting a standard and expectation for the future.’
The first iGCSE exams take place but with insufficient space on campus the school is forced to rent a flat up the road and convert it into an examination centre Jacquie fondly remembers those early years. ‘It was absolutely incredible. I think that sort of can-do attitude has been something that's been so important in the development of Kellett.'
The Search Continues
Around this time, the government announces it is going to allow bids on some sites Kellett bids on two on Hong Kong Island, both of which are unsuccessful In desperation Ann sdsdsds
begins spending weekends traipsing around Hong Kong in search of unoccupied sites that might work
The school is fortunate to receive support from Stephen Bradley, the British Consul General He becomes a patron of the school, and as a parting gesture before his next posting, arranges a meeting with the Education Secretary at which Kellett is made aware of an upcoming site in Kowloon Bay.
A decision is swiftly taken to bid David Kidd recalls, ‘I was very much of the view that we couldn't afford not to give it a go We were very well aware that this was the future of the school It was existential If we hadn't then the school might not be here today ’
This time Kellett’s bid is successful Kellett has finally found a permanent fl
home for its Senior School, with room.
All Systems Go
Work begins in earnest to raise funds, design the build and recruit staff in particular, as David describes, the ‘wonderful triumvirate’ project team: Tim Edmonds (Project Advisor), John Mortensen (former Board Member, JLL Director) and Eric Krantz (Project Manager). In addition, David Coles’ sage advice proves invaluable. ‘He was brilliant and without him the challenges would have been more difficult to manage, ’ David Kidd reflects
Ann and David Kidd meet with HSBC to discuss a potential loan. HSBC tells them they need to build up a contribution from the school before they, or indeed any bank, will dsdsdsds
Construction begins in Kowloon Bay
consider providing support As the meeting concludes, the executive offers, ‘If you can come back to us in 60 days with half your funding, we will approve the loan.’
In response, David leads the development of a new debenture programme ‘We priced the debentures deliberately bullishly (HK$5 and $10 million) I wasn't really sure whether we've gone too far,' he admits.
The Board and parents, together with Suky Lee who is heading up admissions
Admissions, call in their corporate connections, setting up meeting after meeting The new debentures are snapped up, raising $400 million The government provides a $200 million interest-free loan, equivalent to developing a local school the same size In under 60 days Ann and David are back at the HSBC headquarters to finalise a $150m loan, taking Kellett to the $750m needed for the build.
In preparation, the team visits newly built schools in London ‘We learnt what was working and most importantly
importantly what wasn't,’ Simon recollects. ‘What we avoided was long straight corridors because kids like to run along them, another principle was to design it so that that everyone is seen all the time to keep behaviour and study expectations high.’
A visit to Oasis Academy near the Blackwall Tunnel makes a big impression ‘The design was just amazing,’ recalls Ann ‘They had a central atrium with the classrooms radiating off around it. And it was in the middle of an industrial estate, so it was a very similar setting ’
Two years ahead of the planned opening of the KLB campus, Jo Laufer arrives at PFL to take up her role as designate head of a prep school yet to exist. Jo brings a wealth of international experience in Australia, Canada, UK, US, and Hong Kong The idea is that whilst working on the setup she will learn what Kellett is all about
For the next two years the project team meets every Wednesday to pour over Gantt charts Meanwhile, Ciaran Harrington is brought on as Deputy Head at PFL to ensure the Primary is unaffected by the frenzy of activity related to the new build. Jo and Simon Giddings are both meticulous planners, careful not to allow little things to develop into stumbling blocks
Founding Head of KLB Prep, Jo Lauffer
Black rain, only three months before the planned opening, nearly derails the project The water damage is immense, requiring the replacement of two-thirds of the electrics Fortunately, the School has additional layers of insurance on the recommendation of a wise parent, and the project continues
Beyond Bricks
One of the biggest challenges is how to instil the Kellett ethos and strong sense of community PFL is renowned for
Simon maintains that the strategic growth model, that sees Senior grow from its base years 7-9, ‘meant the core of students had been through a Kellett Prep School, they knew the Kellett way It made it much easier to maintain that love of learning, confidence for life and that Kellett ethos ’
‘Basically we could grow from the bottom and make sure that the Kellettness and traditions and the things that were important to the Kellett community were firmly entrenched
entrenched,’ explains Ann. ‘Or there's the more economic model where you just bring students in and risk Kellett children becoming the minority So that was why we grew it the way we did,’
Similar forethought is afforded to KLB Prep Jo is given some duties at PFL, running assemblies or leading staff meetings ‘It showed great foresight by the Governors,’ she recalls Sharing an office with the longest serving member of staff, Nick Miller, also proves beneficial.
'I got to hear about the history, how things had ended up like they had That doesn't necessarily mean that things have to stay exactly the same, but it's really good to know the journey ’
Assembling the Staff
Recruitment proves easy as word spreads in the FOBISIA network and to independent schools in the UK where Kellett has a history of transferring students This enables a strategic approach to team building
HearmorefromtheShapers
Watch ‘The Shapers’ to hear from Ann Mc Donald OBE, Simon Giddings, Jo Lauffer and many others who were instrumental in growing Kellett from a single prep campus to a multi-campus throughtrain school
Scan or Click the QR code to watch
The inaugural KLB Prep Team
Taking care not to deplete PFL, members of the current team are offered an opportunity to transfer to the new Prep, but limited to one per year group.
After studying Linguistics, Ailsa White taught English in China On finishing, she travelled to Hong Kong and knew she wanted to return Back teaching in England she spots a red dragon on an advert in the Times Educational Supplement Six years after joining PFL she becomes part of the team to open Kowloon Bay Prep in 2013
After working as a Teaching Assistant at PFL in the early 2000s, Virginia Man, inspired by the outstanding teachers around her, decides to become one herself Fast forward a decade and she sees an opening for a Mandarin Teacher at Kellett's new campus Kellett jumps at the chance to re-employ someone who already understands Kellett.
Onboarding significant numbers of staff, sometimes 40 at a time, is a challenge Inducting large tranches of new, very able teachers, Ann is clear to remind them that Kellett in KLB isn’t a new school, but part of an existing school and ethos
Building demand for KLB Senior and
Prep is equally challenging Ann is interviewed by RTHK and asked ‘You're an Hong Kong Island community How are you going to get families to Kowloon Bay?’
Ann and the team hold many information meetings, to reassure current and prospective parents ‘We shared that we were bringing in a balance of staff that knew Hong Kong very well, along with some of the brightest and best from UK. We needed to build parental confidence that their children would be able to transfer out to, or arrive from, any international school or respected private
Reflecting on Hong Kong’s expatriate community at this time Ann notes, ‘There were some parents for whom Hong Kong wasn't a colonial posting anymore. It was a vibrant city in which to live. Their priority was to keep their children in Hong Kong and by reputation, they were prepared to take the risks with Kellett The option to keep them at Kellett became very popular, very quickly ’
By the time KLB Prep opens it has a waitlist and Senior classes are beginning to fill
private school.’
The KLB Prep team getting the Campus Ready for Day 1
Move in Day
Echoing previous Kellett expansions, it is all hands on deck to get the new campus ready in time Annette Malcolm, a Reception teacher at PFL opts to transfer to KLB. “I was excited, but I was also a little bit worried and anxious We visited the campus many times and I really didn’t think it would be ready on time! During the weeks leading up to the opening, we had our brushes out, we were cleaning, we were up to our knees in grime and all sorts, but it was lots of fun ”
Thanks to countless hours of meticulous planning by Ann, Simon, and Jo, the much-anticipated KLB site is ready (bar the swimming pool and theatre) to welcome its first students.
Staff, students, and parents alike are impressed Liz remembers fondly, ‘The
clever drop off and pick up system within the school walls, the sound absorbing materials in the atrium, the real trees inside, the glass walled classrooms, the sky pitch… what a change for the even better!’
The Kowloon Bay building is undoubtedly an inspiring space, but staff are clear that it takes more than bricks and mortar ‘No matter how good your building is, if you don't have a cohesive community in it that shares the vision, basically you've got nothing,’ Ann remarks
Although the deliberate incremental growth model means the senior students rattle around the cavernous campus for the first couple of years, the plan works The Kellett culture traverses the coast of HK Island, across the Harbour to Kowloon Bay
13 Years On
Today Kellett, a globally respected international through school, spans two campuses, three schools, with a third Sixth Form Centre campus opening imminently Kellett’s bedrock, its community spirit, on which every stage of its development has been founded, remains as strong today as it did at its inception Kellett’s success is testament to the strength and faith of its community
‘The community that is created through Kellett is special. I think because we've always been aware of our limitations We don't have a government or franchise behind us We don't have corporate or other interests that are that are providing us with a safety net It's a bit scary at times, but it grew from the extraordinary faith that people had,’ reflects David Kidd
Reflecting on Kellett’s expansion, Jo remarks, ‘There are a lot of very good, big-name school franchises that have opened in Hong Kong, but Kellett has held its own because of all of the things that it held dear and didn't waver on ’
Undoubtedly the successful addition of the KLB campus would not have happened without the vision of Ann Mc Donald and David Kidd, the team they recruited and the support of the staff, parents and corporates they gathered around them They shaped the school into the institution it is today, standing true to the principles on which the school was founded in 1976, and unwavering in its commitment to giving every chid a love of learning and confidence for life
Year 7s entering the Senior Atrium for the first time
Justin McLaughlin started at Kellett in 2006 as school nurse for the Pok Fu Lam campus He now covers three schools across three campuses as the Head of Student Wellbeing. We talk to Justin about his experiences as the school has grown.
hen Justin’s wife took a teaching post at an international school in Japan, he was prepared to find an alternative to his role as a hospital nurse, but he didn’t have much idea of what this may entail He began by doing a small amount of school nursing and then he took a job with the Foreign Nurses Board working on movie sets and commercials. “Having previously worked in a surgical unit of a private hospital caring for post-operative patients, this was quite a change,” he says, “but I found that I really enjoyed the community aspect and the varied nature of the work, and not having to work shifts.”
When they moved to Hong Kong seven years later, Justin began working as a Teaching Assistant at HKIS, but knew that he wanted to get back into nursing at some jfjfjfjff
First of many Beijing Trips for Justin
point Thus, he was intrigued when his friend Mark Hulbert, a teacher at Kellett, suggested he apply for the job of school nurse there. “I was interviewed by the principal Ann Mc Donald and I started after the Easter holiday in 2006,” Justin says “The students were all very polite and all very interested in what the new school nurse looked and behaved like, especially the fact that he was a male!” He remembers that, although he didn’t start at the beginning of the school year, staff took the time to welcome him and make him feel included. As well as working alongside Ann and David Ingram, who was the deputy head at the time, he also worked closely with former long-serving teacher Nick Miller since they shared the Year 2 corridor
The following year, Kellett expanded into Year 7 and Justin’s remit began to grow, particularly when they found a temporary home in Shau Kei Wan in 2009 “I started off doing one day a week there and the rest of the week in Pok Fu Lam,” he says.
“There was one other nurse besides me in order to cover the two campuses Then, when the school was looking to expand further, Ann told me that she'd like me to head up the student wellbeing department. She encouraged me to go and do some further qualifications in counselling, which is something I’d always been interested in anyway ” After studying a Master of Counselling at Monash University, he began his new role
“I believed our role was to create an environment in which individual children could perform their best”
as Head of Student Wellbeing and moved across to the Kowloon Bay campus when it opened in 2013
He admits that being on the larger campus was an adjustment at first, particularly in terms of getting to know the students. “I loved the small school atmosphere at Pok Fu Lam,” he says, “but I do feel that even though the school grew bigger, Kellett kept its ethos with regards to how the community look after each other. Most of the staff know each other and they’re very caring, which I think is a really big asset of the school ” Justin also feels that cross-campus sports days and sporting trips as well as the Year 3 and 4 overnight camps and the Beijing excursion played a big part in maintaining consistency and cohesion across the two sites “From personal experience, I know that they’re great fun and the students love the opportunity to mix,” he says, “but it also meant that the students from the different campuses already knew each other by the time they joined together in Year 7, so they all felt a part of Kellett no matter where they had attended Prep School ”
As well as taking charge of both nursing and counselling provision, Justin also enjoyed the opportunity to work with a broader age range of children across the school “It's
nice to be working with a prep or reception student and then move onto having an almost adult conversation with a Year 13,” he says However, he acknowledges that it has been a learning curve working with the older students.
“One year there was a particular cohort of students who were really struggling,” he says “It was hard work and it took up a lot of our time, but we sought the help of other school counsellors who had experience with senior students and it helped us think about how we can do things in a more proactive way rather than a reactive way ” His team set up a system of peer counselling support as a first line that students can go to, which has been very successful.
COVID presented major challenge for the school with regards to both staff and students “Some staff
were put into quarantine, so our department worked closely with Human Resources to make sure that they were OK and that their families abroad were informed,” Justin says. “Then of course we had decisions to make once COVID spread throughout the community, including the decision to close the school, which wasn’t taken lightly ” He also reflects on the difficulty of running counselling sessions over Zoom, saying how hard it is to get a sense of what someone ’ s thinking or feeling when you're speaking to them remotely He recalls the new challenges that followed the return to school, including school refusal and eating disorders, attributing some of this to the lack of control that young people felt over their situation at the time “I do love the variety of my role,” he says “There are always new things to consider ”
consider.”
Working with parents is another aspect of the job for Justin and his expanded team of four nurses and three counsellors. “Again, I think the closeness of the Kellett, and the international Hong Kong community is a bonus here, as it makes it easier to work together,” he says “I have many friends whose children attend Kellett and they know other parents, so most people are very supportive of our role.” He jokes that the Cricket Club could be renamed the Kellett club because there's so many Kellett parents and students there!
“I think it's fantastic looking at the school 50, and even 20 years ago, and looking at it now and how it's grown It’s definitely something that I'm proud to have been a part of ”
Girls Generation
The Sawyer/ Bruce family are Kellett through and through. Brenda Sawyer was the first female chair of the Kellett Board (1996-98) and her three children Nicola (1989-96), Ben (1992-98) and Emma (1994-2000) all attended the school. Fast forward a few years and Nicola’s two children are both at the Pok Fu Lam campus. We chatted with Brenda and Nicola about what it means to a be a Kellett generational family and why they chose Kellett for their children!
parent, and helping on school trips and in the cooking room She knew Kellett well and the family had no plans to leave Hong Kong Stepping up to Chair the board felt like the right move ‘Many people were leaving and I felt that I could offer some stability; my husband, Martyn, and I were committed to staying long term in Hong Kong ’
icola started at Kellett in 1989
in Year One and went all the way through to Year Six Brenda recalls that they liked Kellett because ‘it offered smaller class sizes and a nurturing environment, which we wanted for our children Nicola was the first to attend the school and we could soon tell that Kellett would be good for Ben and Emma too ’
This feeling was echoed by Nicola, with the small community ethos, being one of the main reasons she chose the school for her girls ‘I always loved the small school, family feel. As students we all got to know each other and the teachers
knew and understood all of the students This ethos is still very much at the core of the school, we felt it during that first school tour and is something we both love for our girls.’
Nicola remembers her time at Kellett fondly, and has vivid memories of looking after the school pets, playing netball, and their Year 6 leavers’ show - ‘Hackback’! It was during this time that there was a slight feeling of unsettleness in Hong Kong in the run up to the 1997 handover Brenda was already actively involved in the school, as a member of the board, as a class parent
Nicola loved having her mum volved at Kellett, as it meant she ally knew and understood what e at school was like. With both of icola’s children now at the school, Mum now gets to watch her andchildren experience school th a unique understanding of their urney and experiences, which is ally special.’ When it came to oosing a school for her children, ere was no doubt in Nicola’s mind here they would go: ‘Kellett was e only school I wanted my ildren to go to! Having loved every minute of my time there as a student, I was then lucky enough to also work there for several years as a member of the Development team During that time, I got to see and experience first-hand how much the school had grown and all the incredible learning opportunities that were available to the children.’
It is always so special to have a Kellett multi-generational family, and the Bruce/Sawyer family have given so much to Kellett!
‘From the Sawyers and the Bruces, we wish Kellett a very Happy 50th Birthday and cannot wait to see what the school has in store over the next 50 years!‘
DragonA
To mark Kellett’s 50 birthday, students at Pok
March Working with puppet maker Neil Leung, studen this whole school project and learn
Fu Lam
m worked on two dragon puppets during PFL Art Week in ts from Year 1 - Year 6 all had a hand in putting together ned more about the art of storytelling
Scan/Click to watch the premiere of A Love of Learning at the Golden Proms
TA LOVE OF LEARNING
Lin Marsh
o mark the 50th Anniversary of Kellett, the School comm Residence, to compose a new school song Lin penned Kellett education and make a difference in the world A also took to the pen and reimagined the lyrics to the
[Chorus]
A love of learning will be our guide
A love of sharing time together side by side
With curious mind and open heart
We'll step out into the world to play our part
[Bridge]
Throw me a challenge and I'll take it on the chin
I'm ready waiting for that journey to begin
With kindness and respect we'll travel side by side
Stand with faith, stand with pride
[Chorus]
A love of learning will be our guide
A love of sharing time together side by side
With curious mind and open heart
We'll step out into the world to play our part
To play our part
To play our part
The Love of Learning was commissioned through donations to K², Kellett’s curriculum enhancement fund, supercharging the education and learning experiences of our students.
missioned composer Lin Marsh, Kellett’s first Musician-inA Love of Learning to inspire our Community to take our Additionally, Mr James Thorpe, KLB Prep Music Teacher, Spandau Ballett classic Gold to give it a Kellett twist
Spandau Ballett (lyrics by James Thorpe)
Scan/Click to watch Gold, as performed at Golden Hour
theKee
As part of our 50th Anniversary Celebration, t Golden Jubilee celebration and rolled through th March and April A true Kellett Community pro themed motifs from the 50th Annviersary Tapest Hong Kong Island and marks our commitment to moment with many of the Kellett Founders and celebration wee
Tram
Tram
on, the Kellett Tram was unveiled just ahead of our
h the streets of Hong Kong over a 5 week period in ject, the design features all 100+ Hong Kong-themed
e Tram showcased Kellett’s across Hong Kong island
he Kellett Tram was unveiled just ahead of our he streets of Hong Kong over a 5 week period in oject, the design features all 100+ Hong Kongry The Tram showcased the Kellett spirit across the city We were fortunate to share this special
d Shapers who returned to Hong Kong for our ekend in March.
We were fortunate to share this special moment with returned to Hong Kong for our celebration weekend March
From Reception to OK
Year 13s who started in Reception at PFL Prep
The Kellett Class of 2026 saw six graduates complete the full Kellett journey, starting from Reception and graduating in Year 13. The six --- Nick, Lucy, Haile, Cameron, Lorelei, Emily --- began their journey in the halls of PFL in 2012. We asked a few of them to share some of their favourite memories and final thoughts.
Having been part of this school for 14 years from reception all the way to Year 13
I’ve grown up with Kellett, and it has truly become my second home. As a student athlete, I’ve always felt supported in pursuing my dreams The school has given me the flexibility to train and compete internationally, while still ensuring I stay on track academically That balance has been invaluable, and it’s something I’ll always be grateful for.
But Kellett has offered me so much more than just academics and sport I’ve had the chance to take on leadership roles, as deputy house captain and house captain This taught me the importance of responsibility, teamwork, and serving others These opportunities have shaped me into the person I am today. The sports program has also encouraged me to explore beyond my main discipline whether it’s playing netball or trying other sports like football or basketball, I’ve learned the joy of trying new things and the strength that comes from it
What makes Kellett special is not just the opportunities, but the people the teachers, support staff, and friends who have supported me every step of the way. Kellett is more than a school; it’s a family that nurtures every student’s potential.
I’m proud to be part of its story
Last year, I visited the Pok Fu Lam Campus to give a presentation on Senior School sustainability When I arrived, it was surreal to meet Mrs Wright and Mr Lehmann, my Y5 and 6 teachers, back in the office as if no time had passed. Despite the campus remaining largely the same, it was tangible how much I had changed since first entering these halls
When I stood to give my presentation, I was struck by the faces of the Reception children sitting at the very front. It dawned on me that, once, I was just like them, waving my arms in the air when singing “Hands United in Peace” and tearing up a bit at the “Leavers’ Song”. Now I was giving back to the school that had given me so much in the first place It was an oddly full-circle moment to have at just 17 years-old Already, this feeling of fulfillment was flooding me to the brim I could barely contain my gratitude to have come so far thanks to Kellett, from a shy 4-year-old girl to someone with enough “confidence for life” to speak in front of a packed gymnasium. Maybe it’s silly, but I am not joking when I say I was tearing up.
Kellett, you have made me feel thoroughly appreciated I wouldn’t be where I am today, or where I will be in the future, without you
- Emily - Lorelei
Every morning for the last 14 years, I’ve had the privilege of entering Kellett’s doors. These doors will soon no longer be a part of my regular routine, and one word equally encapsulates me through Kellett’s eyes and Kellett through mine: growth.
Walking in as a 105cm, wide-eyed Reception kid, Kellett guided my intellectual interests from dinosaurs, to linguistics, and finally material sciences Kellett shaped my sporting passions from t-ball, to sailing, and now cross-country. Kellett nurtured me from a shy, timid boy, arguably appropriately cast as a mouse, to someone who can give a speech in front of a large crowd I’m so grateful for all the teachers, staff, friends, and most of all my family for giving me the opportunity to grow in a supportive and encouraging environment – I would not be the person I am today without you
Yet, at the same time, it would be amiss not to mention how I have watched Kellett grow. In my time here, I watched Kellett open a new campus and, through Outreach, share a Kellett education with those who otherwise may not be able to access it What is remarkable is that within this growth, Kellett has never lost sight of its ultimate vision: to instil in its students a love of learning and confidence for life
Even though the next chapter of my life may take me far from Kellett’s doors, I know that I will continue to grow and develop if I, like Kellett, always uphold confidence and a love for learning
- Nick
Take the Kellett Dragon on an adventure of a lifetime!
The Golden Dragon Tour
Follow the Kellett School Instagram to follow along the Loong’s Adventure!
NewYork New York
London London
Sydney Sydney
HongKong Hong Kong
KOOSince its beginning in 1976, Kellett has encouraged students to embodythe values that shape our school: Respect, Kindness, and Integrity. We are proud of each studentthat walks through our doors and are honoured to call those who have left Kellett, Old Kellettonians (OK’s).
To celebrate our 50th Anniversarythis year, we launched The OKAwards, a celebration ofthose individuals in our OK Communitywho showcase the Kellettvalues The Kindness Award recognises those OK's who go above and beyond to help others, whether in their communities, workplace orthrough charitable efforts
We are pleased to announce the winner ofthe inaugural KellettAward for Kindness is Aanya Gupta (OK 2011-16)
Aanya’s
Aanya joined Kellett in Reception in 2011 at the Pok Fu Lam campus. She has fond memories of her time at the school, such as playing the violin as part of the Kellett Orchestra and being a fairy in her classes' rendition of The Gruffalo! ‘Kellett’s teachers left a lasting impression on me, as they were not only deeply knowledgeable but also committed to fostering confidence, curiosity, and kindness ’
In 2016 the family left Hong Kong, first for Singapore and then for the USA where Aanya attended the prestigious Horace Mann School in New York. However, in 2020, Covid hit and the world stood still. Aanya and her friends found themselves on zoom, figuring out how to learn, connect and communicate in this uncertain time. In the aftermath of the pandemic, Aanya described the ‘ sense of isolation’ her peers still felt, despite returning to everyday life. She was shocked to discover that over 40% of teenagers experience mental health challenges and for her generation, mental health is a bigger killer than cancer and heart disease combined
Combining her interest in neuroscience and her experience as a soprano at the Manhattan School of Music, in 2022 Aanya launched The H.U.M.A.N.S (Healing mental health Using Music ANd Song) Initiative to increase awareness and destigmatize mental health in young people. Over the last 3 years, Aanya has held numerous events in partnership with retailers, non-profit organizations, schools and colleges, and government organizations Her efforts have reached over 2400 teenagers so far and her organization has been officially recognized as a Community Partner by the Mental Health Association in New York State
Never one to stand still, Aanya wanted to reach a greater number of people across the US and the world. It came to her attention that the 2nd March is Teen Mental Health Day, however there was no global symbol to recognise this day. In 2023, Aanya launched the world's first Teen Mental Health Symbol with support from the New York Commission on Human Rights She now holds the event every year across high schools and universities in the US, encouraging fdf
time at Kellett (2011-2016) was bookended by two milestone events: The foundation stone laying at the Kowloon Bay Campus (top, with her family) and the Guinness World Record (middle and bottom) achievement in 2016 (for largest human image of a boat) to mark Kellett’s 40 Anniversary. th
all communities to celebrate and recognize teen mental health. For her efforts in supporting teenagers across communities, in 2024, Aanya was recognized with the President’s Volunteer Service award by the President of the United States, Joe Biden.
The journey to get to where she is now hasn't always been smooth and Aanya remembers when trying to launch the H U M A N S Initiative how challenging it was to make skeptical adults listen to her ideas, even being told that the teenage mental health crisis wasn’t an issue and having her ideas dismissed Although the experience was extremely disheartening, Aanya recalls the ‘strong sense of confidence’ that Kellett instilled in her, driving her project forward and inspiring her to ‘continuing reaching out to various organizations, including the New York City Mayor’s office and the National Institute of Health. With their support, I continued building H U M AN S ’
“When I think of kindness, I think of Aanya”
Aanya’s drive and dedication have not gone unnoticed by those around her, leading them to recognise her for the Kellett OK Award. “There is much to be done for all of us to recognize that teenagers should be thought of as part of the solution of teen mental health, and not the problem,’ shares Dr Daniel Bowling of Stanford School of Medicine, who advised Aanya on her work on teenage mental health ‘Aanya's work has many possibilities and her dedication to this cause and the support she has given to many of her peers has convinced me that she is well deserving to be awarded for the Kellett Kindness Award.’
This feeling is reiterated by her fellow classmates
classmates from Horace Mann, Mandy Zheng, who shared her congratulations on Aanya’s award: ‘It’s so wonderful to hear that Aanya is being recognized, she completely deserves it ’
‘Aanya genuinely cares about everyone in her community, and I’ve witnessed her kindness firsthand. When I think of kindness, I think of Aanya. I’m one of many people whose life has been shaped by Aanya’s kindness, and I feel so lucky to be good friends with her!’
We were so pleased at Aanya was able to attend our recent New York alumni event, where Principal Tough presented her with the OK award; ‘I would like to congratulate Aanya on winning the OK Award, the work she is doing is so very important. I very much look forward to seeing what else she can accomplish in the years ahead.’
Aanya is currently studying at Columbia University as a freshman, majoring in Neuroscience and pursuing academic research on mental health conditions. She is currently in the process of developing an app that uses music on Spotify as a tool for improving mental health
health. She hopes to continue increasing H.U.M.A.N.S’ reach and impact through new collaborations, whilst evolving the initiative’s strategies to continue supporting young people.
To Kellett students navigating their teenage years, Aanya advises, ‘I encourage students to be open to new experiences, whether that be visiting new places, meeting new people, or exploring new interests At the same time, it is important for students to remember they don’t have to navigate these experiences on their own, as they have a strong community of friends, teachers, and others to support them!’
Reflecting on this award, Aanya shares ‘I am truly honored to be receiving the Kellett’s OK Award for Kindness; it is incredibly special to be recognized by a community that has had such a lasting impact on me. ’
The Teen Mental Health Symbol
A look back at Outreach 2026
by Megan Bruns, Director of Fundraising & Partnerships
In 2022, Kellett launched Outreach with a simple but determined purpose: to give children, whose families are living below the poverty line in Hong Kong, access to a Kellett education Over 350 children have walked through our classroom doors, their futures brightened by opportunities they might never otherwise have had Moreover,14 children have received bursary places at Kellett, with two new bursary students joining us each year These students are thriving, their lives transformed by the generosity of our community.
At the heart of this success is the belief and commitment from the hundreds of donors whose support makes Outreach possible
The 26-by-26 Campaign was a further boost in support and the funds have been instrumental in sustaining and growing our sector-leading bursaries and Outreach programme. The campaign succeeded because of extraordinary community support: donors who believed in our mission – some giving multiple times, 65 student volunteers and 35 staff who gave their time, families who supported in creative ways like asking for donations in lieu of birthday gifts, Year 13 students organising a charity basketball game and a student-led Feel Good Friday It all adds up in making a tremendous difference to these children’s lives. In March, Kellett won the Service Learning Award at the 2026 Greater Bay Area Awards – recognising our community’s commitment to making a positive difference locally and globally, with Outreach playing a major factor in the award.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you
Daniel Boyd - Director of Outreach
Thanks to your generosity, we have reached our momentous goal of raising $26 million for Kellett bursaries & Outreach Every additional donation means more outreach, more bursaries, and more lives transformed – Scan or click the QR Code give the gift of a Kellett education.
The Resolute Desk, the centerpiece inside the Oval Office at the White House, was gifted to President Hayes in1880 by Queen Victoria, who commissioned it after the dismantling of the HMS Resolute, a ship sailed by our School’s namesake, Sir Henry Kellett
Old Kellettonian, Andrew Rutherfurd (OK 1977-1983), who was one of the first 44 students at Kellett, competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics for Hong Kong.
The first Kellett uniform was designed by Kellett parent Lesley Rankin, who was a designer for Pringle of Scotland. She also designedthe first May Ball ticket and menu card.
Janet Rutherfurd, sister of former US First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, was a Kellett parent with two of her children attended Kellett. Janet was the first parent to donate books The tradition of inviting new students to donate a book to the library came from this gift and continues today!
Do you have a Kellett memory that makes you smile? A fun fact we should know about? Share it with us!
Send your memory/fact to we'd love to celebrate this milestone together.
development@kellettschool.com
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#Kellett50 #GoldenJubilee
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KellettVision:2035 Enri
Inspiring Spaces
As part of the Kellett Vision 2035 Dynamic Learning Environments priority, the School launched two major projects at the beginning of this academic year: The new Sixth Form Centre and the refurbishment of the Pok Fu Lam Campus.
Take a first look at our new connected third campus and the first completed part of the PFL refurbishment.
Built for the 21 Century Learner st
The new Sixth Form Centre gives Kellett students a chance to learn in a variety of classroom environments, reflective of teaching and learning at the University level. Spaces include: a lecture hall (top left), flexible classrooms that transform into an examination space (top right), moveable furniture to enable ad hoc breakout discussions (bottom left), and a Harkness Room (bottom right).
From study pods to reading rooms, the new Sixth Form Centre is fitted with ample spaces for independent study
Focus Spaces
The Sixth Form Centre design is inspired by the aviation history of Kowloon Bay, with imagery that harkens back to Kai Tak Airport and its backdrop, Lion Rock.
Spaces Social
Common areas on the second floor provide space for Sixth Formers to socialise and take a break.
The ampitheatre provides a space for presentations and guest talks.
PFL Art Room
The Pok Fu Lam refurbishment kicked off over the Easter holiday with the transformation of the Science Lab into the new Art Room As part of the the transformation, a kiln room is being created, giving our students a chance to explore new art forms and techniques
SPEAK UP!
by Rebecca Findlay, Head of KLB Prep
In February, Year 6 students from both KLB and PFL prep schools took part in a public speaking project called I-Speak Each participant received intensive training on how to write a powerful speech followed by public speaking training The project culminated in a formal competition with specialist judges from the Kellett Community, with each child performing their speech in the style of their choice
This project was not about the competition – it was about learning an important life skill and developing confidence and poise – skills that will be needed in the future of our rapidly evolving world Well done to our 20 participants with cheers for Jia from PFL and Aryan from KLB Prep for being award top speaker from their respective schools
WORDS FROM A SPEAKER
Aryan from KLB Prep shares his experience participating in this year ’ s project and competition
When we began practising our speeches I felt shy and scared to express my opinions but I gradually grew more comfortable as I grew in confidence My main challenge was trying to express my thoughts while keeping the audience interested We were taught in training to use eye contact and movement as well as tone changes and so I was intentional to include that into my speech. It’s a privilege to be recognised for my hard work and I hope to continue this into my Senior School journey ahead. I definitely encourage future Kellett students to take part in ISpeak as it boosts your confidence in ways that a classroom cannot and it’s really fun!
Scan/click the QR Code to watch Aryan perform his winning speech on the topic Critical Thinking
Over four days in Term 2, the Senior School atrium buzzed with energy as over 40 students from across all houses descended upon their laptops for the inaugural House Coding 2026 – a competitive coding tournament with a nod to the school's own history What started as a passion project within the Competitive Coding ECA blossomed into one of Term 2’s most talked-about events, showcasing not just technical brilliance but creativity, resilience, and house pride Hear from Year 11 student Jeremy, a student organiser, as he shares how he and his peers brought this passion project to life
rganizing House Coding was a really fun task. It was really interesting to see how competitions like this are built from the ground-up and directly participate in the process, from making the questions to designing the matchups between opponents.
Off-Script
The competition itself was quite unique, with many little twists that made it an interesting experience. Programming competitions are normally hosted online, in a style where contestants complete as many questions as possible in an allotted amount of time. However, inspired by a video of another competition, we decided to host the competition as a live, inperson tournament, where students would go head-to-head against each other to complete a single question as fast as possible
Moreover, instead of a traditional rankings system, we opted for a knock-out tournament format, raising the stakes of each round.
The best part of the competition was the nerdy commentating. Watching and hearing the commentators shriek because of seeing advancelevel code and recite, in a highpitched squeal, obscure facts about programming languages, was simply a delight.
Troubleshooting Bugs
While making the contest, we encountered many issues, especially due to constraints like time This required us, as organizers, to problem-solve, just like the contestants
themselves. For example, if we wanted to follow the tournament formatting, there would be a specific number of people to sign up A way we solved this was to group people in lower year groups together as pairs, which played an important role in reducing the skill divide between year groups as well We also predicted that some of the problems would take too long to solve (which many of them ended up being) To fix this, we gave each problem a difficulty rating, so that problems would progressively get harder and fit the skill level of the contestants. For each question, we designed hints that would be given if both contestants had reached the 5minute time limit.
My favorite part of helping organise the competition was creating the problems Designing the problems required a combination of creativity and programming. I especially enjoyed thinking of smart “twists” that each problem would have, that I was hoping would catch the contestants off guard The problems ended up being successful – it was really rewarding watching the difficult problems that I had made challenging the contestants, and seeing the contestants slowly come to a unique solution
Overall, organising House Coding was a very fun and valuable experience! I hope the contestants had as much fun as I did.
CHRIS HALL - COMPUTER SCIENCE TEACHER
ThankYouforYourService
With the completion of the academic year, we want to recognise some of our longserving staff who hit some special milestones this year
Years Years
I like a good puzzle - crosswords, logic, sudoku, especially a good whodunit/murder mystery
Events
& Lettings Manager
Raised in Manila and a Hong Kong resident since 1988, Tessa has been with Kellett since May 2003. Over her 23 years at the School, she has served in a variety of roles ranging from Class TA to IT and eventually her current role of Events and Letting Manager. Read on to get to know Tessa!
Outside the comforts of my home, I would say Wanchai, particularly along Queen's Road East/Lee Tung Avenue/Wanchai Market You get to experience the many different facets of Hong Kong just wandering the streets around that square There's a lot going on, glimpses of old and new Hong Kong and at the same time you can find a quiet spot for a coffee or have a gastronomic experience with great diversity
DescribeKellettin3words 3.
FEELS LIKE HOME - Ever since I started working in Kellett way back in 2003 when it was a single campus and one building (no Mountain Wing yet), there was always a genuine warmth and a feeling of acceptance and belonging. If things needed to be done, everyone pitched in and made it happen without complaints.
I have some fond memories of the little ones that I worked with in Reception and KS1 Being present at the beginning of their learning journeys and watching them grow and flourish is precious
In 2007, I became the ICT Teaching Assistant. Helping usher in digital technology to the classroom is very special Technology has changed so much since when we started with ICT lessons in a computer lab with PC desktops, working on mouse and keyboard skills with children and introducing programming skills with Beebots, Roamers, and eventually Scratch and Scratch Jr on iPads. This is probably the role where I have felt most at home in and the one that makes me proud to have started a huge number of children in their digital learning I remember walking in on a Reception class and a little girl exclaiming loudly, "Oh look! It's Computer Girl!" If that doesn't make you feel like a superhero, and make your day, I don't know what will
Moving to Kowloon Bay in 2018, I became the Events and Creative Arts Manager for the Senior Music department. It was a fresh look at the school, from a different perspective and learning a lot of new things, particularly events management
In 2021 my role changed to my current role as School Events and Lettings Manager, where I am involved with the planning and managing of corporate and major school events and managing the community engagement programme for facilities/venues for hire
I'd be Principal for a day and declare an ad hoc no formal lessons day and have just fun activities for all ages to decompress. Movies, popcorn, bouncy castles, massage chairs and ice cream.
