Paul Tough shares why community service is a key priority in Kellett Vision: 2035.
Senior Art Showcase
Our Year 13 and Year 11 Art students hosted the Senior Art Exhibition earlier this term Check out some of the fantastic works on display.
Sports Roundup
See how Kellett did on the pitch and the court in Seasons 3 & 4
Athlete Spotlight
Year 11 Milos shares his experience playing in the HKPL this season with the BC Rangers.
Parents’ Committee
The Parents’ Committee celebrates the end of a busy school year with thank-yous and a farewell
Thank You for Your Service
Celebrate our Kellett staff members who reached milestones of service this academic year
Meet the Board - Sanjay Verma
Kellett Board member Sanjay Verma introduces himself and his love for Hong Kong and the Kellett Community
Lochhead, English Teacher in Senior School, as she shares her thoughts about teaching and her love for the
Catch
Editor
Laura Tyson
Managing Editor
Donald Ma
Hollie Arnulphy
Harriet Rhodes
Photographers
Anthony Domingo
Donald Ma
TASS Signing
From the Principal & CEO
Welcome to the final Dragon of 2024-2025 and the conclusion of my first year at the helm It is incredible how much Kellett manages to pack into a year I have seen phenomenal teaching, inspired learning, dedicated staff, highly engaged parents, supportive partner organisations and outstanding students.
In this edition, the spotlight falls on languages. The development of Mandarin Chinese is highlighted in Strategic Vision 2035 and remains a key focus I also delve into community service at Kellett, which I believe should be an integral part of school life, as it helps develop engaged students who are empowered to impact their local and global communities positively
As I reflect on my first full year, the overriding sentiment I keep returning to is the incredible sense of community evident across the school I hope you feel this, too, as you read through these pages and join us in celebrating another successful chapter in the school's history
Paul Tough Principal & CEO
An unforgettable night of celebration and impact: The Kellett Charity Ball made a spectacular return on 24th May at The Mira Hong Kong Organised by our dedicated Parents’ Committee led by Ruchi Yea, Bianca Kirschner, and Karen King the evening was a shining celebration of community spirit, featuring elegant dining, dazzling entertainment, thrilling auctions, and unforgettable performances by students Karina Taylor and Vanessa Kerr.
A record-breaking HK$4.6 million was raised for the Ann Mc Donald Fund, supporting Outreach and Entrance Bursaries, and helping create brighter futures with life changing educational opportunities for children living below the poverty line in Hong Kong.
Special thanks to The Mira for its continued support as our venue sponsor, and to our exceptional senior student volunteers: Cara O’Neill, Jamie Shih, Icey Ng, Skylar Chu, Jericko Cabuga, Kairo Taylor, Ethan Yung, Daniel Walters, Suki Chan, and Lucy Marsh
We are deeply grateful to our generous sponsors and donors many of them Kellett families for their unwavering support Together, we ’ re changing lives and making a lasting impact
The Kellett Ball Committee Ruchi, Bianca, Karen
Dear Fellow Parents,
We conclude the school year with me passing the baton of Chair of the Board of Governors to Nick Marsh.
It has been a privilege for me to be part of the Kellett community and to serve on the Board for the last nine and a half years I'm grateful for your trust and support. I enjoyed every minute and I look forward to seeing from afar how the school will continue to thrive in the years to come
I wish everyone at the school, students, staff, Board and parents, a wonderful new year ahead and a refreshing summer break.
Silvia Pezzini
Former Chair of the Board (2021-2025)
Passing the baton to the new Chair
Crossing Cultures: Languages @ Kellett
BY LAURA TYSON & HOLLIE ARNULPHY
As an international school made up of students from over 40 different nationalities, and probably almost as many languages spoken, we take great pride in the cultural richness of our community.
As such, we consider studying a language as more than a way to communicate, it also, importantly, guides students to better understand and appreciate our differences At Kellett we go to great lengths to use a wealth of teaching styles, experiences and activities to aid language acquisition and foster cultural appreciation
Senior School Mandarin
Beginning in Receptio option of F Year 7, Kell love of lear of languag and engag priority, an move throu examination vibrant and games, so activities l cooking c explains Sté Languages i
Follow @Kellett languages on Instagram and keep up with all the fun things the Kellett Languages Department is up to!
Kellett Vision: 2035 prioritises the continued development of our Mandarin programme As part of a recent full review of language provision from Reception to Year 13, Mandarin will become compulsory for all years up until the start of Year 10 In addition, a third Native Stream has been added in Mandarin, allowing a Middle Stream for students who can speak and understand the language well but find it more difficult to read and write.
Mandarin in Prep
At Prep, students are streamed into three classes, “and classes are often split further so that small groups can work their way through a carousel of independent and teacher-led activities,” notes
“I enjoy playing games such as “Around the World” or “Beat the Teacher” to test us. It’s all about fast thinking and also helps us with our speaking skills and develops our knowledge in Chinese.”
Daphne Year 5 KLB
KLB Prep celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival in assembly
Cecilia Ngan, Head of Mandarin at KLB Prep. “We constantly respond to students’ needs and fine tune the curriculum accordingly.
Cecilia describes how Kellett’s spiralling, sequential and communicative approach works in the Preps “Students might learn the vocab for body parts through labelling their own drawing of a human body, then later they revisit the theme with an iPad activity, where they listen to descriptions of individuals and select the correct response based on what they hear; they might then role play a visit to the doctor ” These activities are adapted for the different levels, for example students can write their descriptions in either Pinyin or Chinese depending on their level
“I love Mandarin lessons because we all learn at our own speed. We get to decide what we want to write about which is a lot of freedom and really fun. ”
Dr Eunice Lee, Head of Mandarin at PFL, places value in the integration of language teaching into the daily fabric of the school. A fun and long-standing tradition in PFL is the daily morning weather announcement delivered over the tannoy in Mandarin by Year 6 students Languages are woven into events and celebrations. “During Science Week we looked at inventions, studying how papermaking originated in China and
using straws to print "
(Kellett Dragon) on paper, ” Eunice says.
Just as Prep students work hard to secure a pen licence in English, there is also one in Mandarin for writing Chinese characters “They love working on this challenge and are so proud when they get their licence and can write in fountain pen. It definitely inspires them to keep going,” comments Eunice
Cecilia Ngan
Head of Mandarin, KLB Prep
Born in Xiamen, China, Cecilia moved to Hong Kong as a young child and later acquired a BA in Chinese Language & Literature from the Hong Kong Baptist University, followed by an MA from the Chinese University of Hong Kong Fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese and English, Cecilia is a cultural foodie and loves baking delicious desserts from around the world
Dr Eunice Lee
Head of Mandarin, PFL Prep
A Chinese Malaysian with a rich multilingual background, Eunice grew up with English, Malay, Mandarin, Cantonese, and the Chinese dialects Hakka and Hokkien as part of daily life
A true multilinguist, she’s currently adding Japanese to her repertoire. Her academic journey began with a teaching degree in Malaysia, before moving to Peking University to do a master's in teaching Chinese, followed by a PhD in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics Outside of academia, Eunice cares for her two sphynx cats and fish tank, and loves playing The Legend of Zelda
Sophie Y5 PFL
Parisien native, Stéphane Frahi, oversees a team of 13 Mandarin, Spanish and French teachers in the Senior School up to A Level. Latin is currently taught to GCSE but is being phased out as a result of reduced demand. The languages team are very diverse, stemming from France, Spain and China, as well as Mexico, the USA and UK.
Stéphane explains how regular meetings allow teachers of all languages to share best practice, as well as explore the similarities and differences between languages and the most effective way to teach them
New Expressive Arts ECAs at Kellett
Teachers bring back magazines and other materials from their home countries when they visit so students can explore authentic materials and gain insight into the country’s culture. He explains how he shares his niece’s timetable from her school in France, which sparks cultural conversations, for example why there’s no Religious Education timetabled because it’s a secular country
“Students come from such a range of backgrounds, often even within the same house, and it’s important that they understand the strength in this,” he says “There are different ways of doing things, different
Stéphane Frahi Head of Languages Senior School
Fluent in English and Spanish, Stéphane studied languages at Université de La Sorbonne, and moved to Hong Kong over a decade ago Keen traveller and concert-goer, Stéphane has a collection of over 700 vinyl records Similar to Dr Lee, he is also avid player of The Legend of Zelda
ways of reacting to things, different ways of thinking about things, and you take from these to build your own culture ” Senior
It’s important to Stéphane that language learning is as much about culture as linguistics “Our teachers come from all over the world and it’s through sharing stories from our own cultures that we help students to understand that it’s about more than just learning new words and putting them into a sentence ”
“Learning French opens a whole new world of opportunities and possibilities for students “
Harry Y7
Experiential Learning
School trips and cultural exchanges play an important role in Kellett's language curriculums
In Year 3 students visit the Yakult Factory in Tai Po as part of their food and drink unit in Mandarin.
Senior School French Native Speaking Lessons
This hands-on experience gives students knowledge of manufacturing as well as healthy habits. In Year 4, a visit to the Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences allows for an exploration into traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture.
Both Prep schools have a Mandarin-medium sister-school nearby Visits to and from these schools are a highlight for students, where they share performances, sports activities and cultural experiences “During a recent Year 5 exchange, Buddhist Chi King Primary School puts on a darts experience, while we treated them to a creative teamwork challenge to build spaghetti towers,” remarks Cecilia “We are also continually seeking to strengthen our ties within the Greater Bay Area, for example through engaging in more local competitions,” she explains
PFL Student Council visiting sister school for CNY
GO Week French Exchange Experience
Trips abroad, starting in Year 6 with the much-loved Beijing visit, provide real-life opportunities for students to apply their knowledge
Cecilia sees the Beijing trip as a great celebration of seven years of Mandarin learning “Students are working at different levels, but Beijing gives them all an equal chance to use the language and see real-world results,” she says.
“We spend the three weeks before the Year 6 Beijing trip making sure students have all the language required to make the most out of their visit,” Eunice explains “They get really excited, particularly when we tell them about the shopping day and teach them how to bargain to get what they want with the money we give them ”
Senior students have opportunities
to undertake language trips as part of Global Outlook Week Trips alternate between France and Spain one year and China the next “We discuss the trips with all year groups, talking about the food they’ll eat and cultural norms, ” says Stéphane “This gets students excited about going and helps them to see the real-world applications of their learning ”
Year 6 Trip to Beijing
Language provision at Kellett is constantly evolving to meet the needs of our students and our context, and exciting times are ahead. Kellett Vision 2035 sets out ambitions for a language exchange programme with schools in the Greater Bay area, with the aim of providing more opportunities for real-life language practice, as well as deeper cultural connections
In recent years our fabulous Parents’ Committee has brought some wonderful language initiatives to all three schools, centred on fun activities and celebrating different cultures Native Literacy sessions in Chinese, French and Spanish, bring parent volunteers onto campus to expose students to native speakers through games, reading stories and much more International Mother Language Day celebrates the huge range of languages spoken in our community, sparking curiosity and excitement for language learning. Parents also share sweet cultural traditions such as Roscón de Reyes and galette des rois.
GO Week Trip to China
With Kellett families coming from over 40 different nations, we are proud of our Community’s diverse nature See below the many different cultural backgrounds our Community is composed of
United
New
BEYOND A LEVELS: STUDENT STORIES FROM SIXTH FORM ELECTIVES
In addition to A Levels, the Sixth Form curriculum is supplemented by a variety of initiatives and electives designed to prepare students for life beyond school, with an emphasis on critical thinking, presentation skills, physical and mental health, and the world of business Hear from our Sixth Formers, Icey, Kayna and Natalie on how their electives gave them greater insight to the world beyond their coursework
The Extended Qualification Project (EPQ) is an independent research project that allows A Level students to explore deeply into a topic they are passionate about Students have a choice from writing a dissertation to completing an artefact The EPQ is flexible, meaning it can cover almost anything, from science experiments to artistic creations, making it a unique opportunity to pursue personal interests
My EPQ topic is on behavioural economics with the interplay of law Traditional legal policies assume rational behaviour, but real-world choices are influenced by cognitive biases The primary objective of my dissertation is to explore how cognitive and behavioural factors influence decision-making in microeconomics and to evaluate how these insights can enhance legal policies Throughout the first research period of my EPQ, I began educating myself on the theories of behavioural economics, understanding why individuals deviate from the standard supply and demand model from a psychological perspective I read various books, Harvard Law Reviews, enrolled in online courses and attended talks from psychology professors to widen my knowledge
What I have enjoyed most about the EPQ so far is the independence I have to fully explore a topic I am passionate about The EPQ has increased my critical thinking and independent research skills Teachers at Kellett, especially Ms Caunt, my EPQ supervisor, were incredibly helpful in guiding my source evaluation and helping me through the research process I learnt how to evaluate a source, not just reading it, which is imperative as I am now receiving feedback from a range of experts and have begun structuring my arguments and incorporating them into my dissertation
EPQ relies heavily on discipline and motivation, making clear goals helped me Furthermore, balancing in-depth reading with tests and exams challenged my time management, but the flexibility of doing EPQ has its own rewards
For Kellett students, the EPQ is a phenomenal opportunity It is a chance for students to develop skills outside of academic work, encouraging them to think independently and creatively, whether it's analysing political events or creating art The EPQ also helps strengthen university applications, especially for competitive courses, by showcasing one ’ s independent research skills. The EPQ is a great experience for anyone looking to seek better understanding about a topic they are passionate about.
Icey (Year 12)
In LAMDA*, we prepare for the Grade 8 Public Speaking qualification from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts Each lesson, we spend time planning, writing, and delivering a variety of speeches from fun questions to current events
I used to be heavily reliant on having every word scripted out. It made my speeches a lot more clinical and detached, but through LAMDA, I’ve learned to be much more confident in my instincts and to trust my judgement of the situations I am in and the results show, as I’ve won ‘B t S k ’ i t d b t titi thi t d i !
j g p p j y , p p y g glamorisation of serial killers in dramatic media This experience taught me functional research skills, including knowing how to filter necessary information The impromptu speeches were a bit of a challenge, but with practice, I started to get better at it and it helped me improve at connecting points in my head and not relying on a written script to speak confidently
Mr Makapan never pressured us about deadlines, only set them as a recommendation, and this helped me to learn how to structure my day to include subjects, work outside of my main priorities, like my A-Level coursework, and manage long-term projects independently
The learning we do in LAMDA is more than just learning how to deliver a speech professionally; it is also about developing confidence and self-assurance and teaches you how to read and understand people and their mannerisms, and how to effectively assess a situation, a skill that can be applied to all aspects of life
(Year 12)
Note: The LAMDA elective at Kellett is a public speaking course making use of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts’ Speaking in Public examination and syllabus LAMDA is also offered in Year 8 to enhance lower senior school students’ communication ability
You can catch Kayna putting her public speaking learning into practice as she read the news in the latest episode of ‘Kellett News’ on the Kellett Expressive Arts Instagram HERE!
Kayna
Kayna puts her LAMDA learning to use as she anchors the latest episode of Kellett News
rowing up, the business world has always sparked my interest and, coming from an entrepreneurial household, my parents taught me from a young age to dream big, work hard, and the rest will follow When I learned about the miniMBA elective in Sixth Form, I knew, despite the time required for my A Level Art and Media subjects, this is something I wanted to do.
The mini-MBA is an online course offered by IE University (Spain) which aims to resemble the experience of creating your own startup and gives students first-hand entrepreneurial experience Together with my incredible teammates Jaime and Kamini our all-female team founded a subscription-based menstrual care product service called “Cycle Care” with a mission to raise awareness on the issue of menstrual equity It was important to us that our product is for women by women
Throughout the course, we were challenged to be resilient. One of our first tasks in the class required us to come up with three small goals/habits and stick to them for a week My three goals were: 1) Phone free mornings, 2) Daily nighttime stretches, 3) Daily reading I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think of giving up at least once during the week, but whenever I got the urge to, I’d remind myself to keep a growth mindset and replace it with something more empowering This assignment gave me a small light into the resilience required for the months to come
Cycle Care faced a lot of setbacks We encountered numerous rejections reaching out to local menstrual care suppliers, many of whom either did not see our vision or just flat out ignored us Despite these setbacks, we stayed focused on our mission and pressed forward, and we are currently developing our first product prototype and in the process of sorting out organisational logistics!
Beyond developing our product and service, we remain centred on raising awareness on menstrual equity In May, we hosted Olivia Cotes James, founder and CEO of LUUNA Care, in one Sixth Form Critical Perspective session. We held a productive conversation tying in elements of designing menstrual care, as well as running an award winning social enterprise.
The Mini-MBA was an incredible experience for me It’s weird to have my Wednesday evenings empty instead of meeting with my fellow cofounders But, I am keeping up with my daily goals which have brought about a calmness into the chaos of Year 12 life I’ve learned more than just how business works behind closed doors, with the most important takeaway being that the equation for success is the sum of mind, resilience, and action I’ll carry that mindset with me in everything I do
Keep up with Natalie and the Cycle Care Team by following @cycle ccare on Instagram and receive updates on how their venture is going
The all women Cycle Care Team - (L to R) Jamie, Natalie, Kamini
Natalie interviewing the CEO of LUUNA Care
School Snapshots
Rec to Y3 Eco Carnival (PFL)
Congrat PFL Prep Cla
tulations ass of 2025
Congrat KLB Prep Cla
tulations ass of 2025
eption to OK
Year 13 Graduates who started in Reception at PFL Prep
graduates complete the full Kellett journey, starting from Reception and graduating in Year her Lee, Emma Badenach, Finn Marriott, Georgie Smith, Marcus Southward, and William rney in the halls of PFL in 2011 We asked a few of them to share some of their favourite
“As I look back on my time at Kellett, preparing and performing for our annual concerts in primary is probably my most nostalgic memory. Our yearly trips, especially the Year 6 Beijing Trip and my Year 8 GO Week
d as f the edral form
“I still recall making models in Reception and the am we had doing it In Year 2, Astro Club allowed me love for flight and inspired me to study Aerospace En UK. Being part of a Guinness Book of World Records memorable. Music was always a big thing for me, fro Singapore for FOBISIA Music in Year 5 to winning H Year 9. And finally, as a Head Student, I am gra opportunities to give back to the School
ing mary h
William La
Finn Marriott Emma Badenach
Christopher Lee
Christopher is heading to Imperial College London to study Mechanical Engineering
Marcus will be heading to University of Bristol to study Aerospace Engineering
Georgie currently holds a conditional offer to study law at the London School of Economics
William will be heading to the Montana State University to study Agricultural Business and Economics
Kellett School will be celebrating our 50th Anniversary in 2026. See what’s in store for the Golden Jubilee Year
A Year of Celebration
Here’s a quick glimpse of what’s coming in 2026
Behind-the-scenes work is underway at full steam as we prepare for a year-long celebration of Kellett passing the mid-century mark Established in 1976, this 50-year milestone is an opportunity to reflect on our humble beginnings, celebrate our extraordinary community spirit and look forward to a bright future for our unique school
Celebrations will kick off on 30 January with parties –Feeling Good at Fifty - in each of the three schools. Students will be encouraged to dress in what they think they will be wearing when they turn fifty!
Our community celebration for all Kellett families will take place on Saturday 21 March at a special Golden Jubilee Party on the Kowloon Bay Campus. Details will be announced nearer the time but be sure to keep the afternoon and early evening free! You will not want to miss this
Join us for a special edition of Kellett Proms at the Golden Jubilee Party
The year will round off with a Whole School Assembly, our first since 2018, where a time capsule will be locked and sealed for future generations to open and learn what life was like for students in 2026
We have a very exciting year planned so stay tuned for more updates We look forward to celebrating our very special birthday with you soon!
and
K o May May
i n
In May we will celebrate with our former students, staff and parents with OK in May events around the world for our alumni, known as Old Kellettonians (OKs). Events are already scheduled in London, New York and Hong Kong, and we ’ re hoping concentrations of OKs in other cities will hold their own celebrations with the help of our special 50th party packs!
The Kellett Dragon is getting ready for an adventure in 2026
Students, parents,
staff all had a chance to sew their bit to the 50 Anniversary Tapestry th
OLD KELLETTONIAN POSTCARDS
Letters home from our Old Kellettonians
Dear OKs,
After graduating from Kellett in 2020, I moved back to the UK to study Sports Science at Durham University, where I played BUCS Netball and was Club Captain in my final year During the summers, I travelled to Canada to work at a summer camp I then took a gap year, finally returning to South East Asia I lived in rural Thailand for 2 months, teaching English at a local primary school I'm now a few weeks away from completing my PGCE in Secondary PE, at Sheffield Hallam. It has been a challenging year, but a rewarding one. In September I will be starting work at an independent school in Gloucester, as a Teacher of PE and Games. A special mention to all the PE teachers I had during my time at Kellett, who inspired me to pursue this career, and one day I hope to teach back in Asia.
Best, Beth Caves
Beth Caves Student OK 2015 - 2020
Dear OKs,
I graduated from Kellett last year (2024) and I am now studying International Development with Economics at Bath University. I’m currently playing men’s Hong Kong sevens rugby I am thoroughly enjoying my time at Bath, it’s an amazing city and an incredibly picturesque place to be. I really miss the efficiency in Hong Kong, the fact you’ve got the beach, mountains and city all within 30 minutes of each other is something no other place in the world has to offer!
I will come back to Hong Kong this summer to play more rugby for Hong Kong and to go traveling with my family.
Best,
Maurits Kennes
Racing to Victory
Growing up, Joe Share fondly remembers spending time sharing his Grandfather’s love of cars with him, but it wasn’t until around Year 10 that he decided he wanted to make a career out of it “Not long after watching my first 24 hours of Le Mans I decided I wanted to work in the motorsport industry,” he says, "focusing more around sportscars than formula 1.”
Joe reflects that living in Hong Kong gave him a global outlook on the world that opened up a host of international possibilities “Hong Kong is such a melting pot of cultures,” he says, “I have friends from all around the world, but we all have a similar outlook ” He feels lucky that many others from his Sixth Form have ended up in London “A group of us met up to celebrate Toby Evans’ birthday a few weeks ago: Daniel Paddock, who’s about to begin a masters, Elliott Surenkok-White who works at a stocks trading company, Maddie Jaeger who works at an AI research company and Lucan Flynn and Toby who both work in marketing We spent a lovely afternoon in a beer garden with the sun shining and having a good laugh with good friends.”
Joe Share (OK 2008-2020) started at Pokfulam Prep in Year 3 and graduated from Kowloon Bay Senior School Find out how he fulfilled his childhood dream of working in motorsports after studying Motorsport Technology at the University of Hertfordshire.
OK Joe Share fulfills his childhood dream of working in motorsports
Joe fondly remembers his teachers at Kellett, particularly Mr.Wood who taught him A-level D.T. He also loved training and playing rugby whilst Mr Ridgway was at the school, saying that both teachers taught him a lot of life lessons and skills during the time he spent with them. It was an exciting time moving into the Kowloon Bay campus “I was in the first cohort of year 7s to move and I remember being shocked at the sheer size of the building,” he says “In the first year we would often have PE on the ground floor and then right after have Maths all the way on the top floor At the time that felt like climbing Mount Everest!” He recalls how empty the school was in the beginning and how incredible it was to see how much it had grown by the time he left.
Unfortunately his university experience was marred by Covid since the first two years were nearly fully online “My first term was in September 2020 and everything was online when I arrived It made it
“If you give it your achieve what you workin
fairly hard to fully get onboard with a lot of lessons as I would often be working in my room which wasn't the largest and made it hard to separate work from socialising and relaxing ” It also took him a while to get used to the U K and make friends with his flatmates “Despite being English, having English parents and having spent a small amount of time growing up in England I felt like a foreigner when I first arrived, a very odd feeling initially,” he says “My first year accommodation–a block of around 5 rooms–was mostly made up of people who had grown up in the U K since birth which meant a lot of their cultural references and jokes came from TV shows and experiences that I was never really exposed to whilst living in Hong Kong We would often throw parties together and try to socialise as much as possible within the rules, but it did make it quite difficult to settle in.”
After
starting as an intern at Jota Group in 2023,
Y6 Prep Beijing Trip
Joe with his family on his Kellett Graduation day
r best shot, there will always be other opportunities to
u want. I’m so glad I never gave up on my dreams of
g in the industry that I wanted to work in.”
Joe became a support engineer before gaining the post of junior systems engineer in 2025. For nonrace weekends his job is mainly focused around the development of channels to monitor the car health and the tools to process the data that comes off the car For race weekends, he directly monitors the car ’ s health, processing data, monitoring competitors and assisting trackside running by any means. “I enjoy the data processing and manipulation side of my job, along with the travelling that it brings,” he says “However, one of the major challenges is jumping from time zone to time zone and also the long hours that can come along during race weeks.”
Last year he was given the chance to run the #12 Porsche 963 Hertz Team Jota car for the last 3 races of the season, 6 hours of COTA (Circuit of the Americas), 6 hours of Fuji and 8 Hours of Bahrain
“In all of these I was directly responsible for the fuel load going into the car, the calibration of sensors and the overall running health of the car, ” he says.
“We came first and second in the Hypercar world cup (championship for only privately entered hypercars). We won the title in the 6 hours of Fuji whilst I was running the car, securing the championship with 1 race to go We also won 6 hours of Spa, becoming the first Hypercar Privateer team to win overall with this set of regulations, the first ever British team to win a WEC race overall. Those were proud moments, but next I’d love to get a 24 hours of Le Mans overall victory!”
Looking back, Joe says he’s learned that it’s not the end of the world if everything doesn’t go to plan. “If you give it your best shot, there will always be other opportunities to achieve what you want,” he says “I’m so glad I never gave up on my dreams of working in the industry that I wanted to work in ”
Runner Up Jota Team (Joe circled in Yellow)
JOTA wins the
KellettVision:2035 InspiringMinds|EnrichingLives
Changemakers:
Making a Positive Difference Locally and Globally at Kellett School
BY PAUL TOUGH
At Kellett School, we believe that international education is about more than academics It's about fostering socially responsible individuals who actively contribute to their communities and the wider world
The Neurodiversity HK ECA group visits AP School for a Lunchtime hangout
Makinga Difference StrategicPriority6
Throughout my 28-year career as a teacher and senior leader, I have become convinced that schools like ours must prioritise service learning. By integrating service into the curriculum, we create opportunities for students to look beyond themselves, recognise the needs of others and respond meaningfully These moments not only foster personal growth but also profoundly transform students and adults alike Our aim is to empower students to embrace their roles as engaged citizens, instilling accountability and a drive to create positive change both locally and globally
Encouraging service to others both within and beyond the School helps students build vital skills, such as collaboration, problemsolving, and critical thinking These experiences deepen personal growth, strengthen community ties and connect classroom learning to real-world challenges.
At Kellett, we are committed to helping students make a difference Our students benefit academically and emotionally from volunteering their time to improve the community and the world That’s why we actively encourage participation in a wide range of service activities and continually seek new ways to enhance these opportunities.
Creating a Foundation
Service is a cornerstone of life in our Prep Schools, with a strong commitment to supporting both local and global charities This year, through the School Council, Prep students have supported organisations such as Plastic Free Seas, WWF, and the Disaster Relief Fund Memorable initiatives include:
Box of Hope at Christmas; community carol singing in Central Hong Kong; and
fundraising for Impact Hong Kong and St. James's Settlement.
Community service is further emphasised through events such as Helpers Appreciation Day, fundraising for Outreach and Bursaries, and partnerships with sister schools Within the curriculum, topics like "People Who Help Us" have shone a spotlight on local heroes, such as police, firefighters, doctors, and cleaners Reception children have participated in forest cleanups in Aberdeen, while collaborations with “ReBooked” and “Retykle” have facilitated book and clothing donations
Head of PFL Prep, Ben Dixon sorting Box of Hope collections with parents
Commitment to Sustainability
Sustainability is woven into the the fabric of our Prep Schools
Students engage with activities and opportunities to contribute to the environment, such as:
“I immediately joined, knowing that I would be helping to foster a love for music in a wider community”
In Term One we asked Year 11 students Alan and Vanessa about their service experience at Outreach Click the graphic above to read their reflections.
The breadth and depth of service opportunities in Senior School are truly remarkable. This year, students have been involved in initiatives and ECAs such as Neurodiversity HK, Room-to-Read, Mother’s Choice, the Hong Kong Award for Young People, and the Christmas Box of Hope project.
Upper Years Christmas beach clean up
Y5 Outward Bound trip –with a focus on sustainability
Community service is further emphasised through events such as Helper Appreciation Day, fundraising for Kellett Outreach andBursaries, and partnerships with sister Schools. Within the curriculum, topics like "People Who Help Us" have shone a spotlight on local heroes, such as
Green Dragons – our student leadership group dedicated to environmental issues.
Crucially, our Outreach programme has seen significant growth, with fifty two students volunteering this year Highlights include:
Twenty-one students providing one-on-one instrumental music lessons to Outreach children
Next year, all Year 11 students will participate in a new volunteering programme, requiring them to volunteer at least once with Outreach Additionally, seventeen Senior School students were recognised with the “Community Service Awards” for outstanding contributions, a testament to their dedication and impact under the guidance of Ms Debra Jones, our Head of Music.
Twenty students designing and delivering creative learning programmes, including podcasts, terrarium building and paired reading activities
Senior School: Leading the Way in Outreach
Transformative Benefits
The benefits of community service for students at Kellett School are profound and multifaceted Key impacts include:
Inspiring Social Responsibility: Early service involvement fosters a sense of accountability, broadening students’ perspectives and igniting a commitment to meaningful change
Bringing Learning to Life: Realworld challenges enable students to apply academic knowledge in practical, impactful ways
Fostering Connection and Diversity: Collaborating with different groups builds empathy, relationships and cultural awareness
Building Future-Ready Skills: Service improves communication, teamwork, and critical thinking, preparing students for life’s challenges
Igniting Passions: Service experiences help students uncover hidden talents, explore interests, and find purpose in meaningful causes
Though service is sometimes seen as peripheral to the “serious business” of education, research and practice tell a different story Service is not only a rigorous and compelling educational tool but also an inspiring one
Looking Ahead: Kellett Vision 2035
As we continue to implement our new Kellett Vision: 2035, we are committed to enhancing the role of service across the School
Senior School Students at Outreach Music lessons
Through robust partnerships with local organisations and our deeprooted responsibility as members of Hong Kong society, we are equipping our students with the knowledge, skills and compassion to foster a more just, sustainable, and inclusive world. Our strong ties to the fabric of Hong Kong society ensure that giving back is not just a choice but a central part of our purpose manifested through volunteering, community engagement, and philanthropy Caring for oneself, others, and the natural environment is fundamental to our approach
Making a difference, locally and beyond
There is little debate about whether service is a good thing – I am sure we all agree that it is I contend that it should also be the core of the education that we, as a School, collectively provide An approach to life and learning that is prioritised not just for the benefit and transformation of our students, but as a shared responsibility for the betterment of society. As stated in Kellett Vision 2035, we are intent at Kellett School “to make a difference locally and beyond.”
Kellett Vision: 2035 Initiatives
Community responsibility and a service culture are embedded in School life. All students and staff participate annually in Kellett's Community Service Programme, which includes work with partner schools in Hong Kong and through Outreach.
Strategic partnerships with non-governmental organisations and the British Council are in place to support our Summer/Night School programmes, Community Service Programme, and Outreach throughout the school year.
Community responsibility and a service culture are embedded in School life. All students and staff in both the Prep and Senior Schools participate annually in Kellett's Community Service Programme, which includes work with partner Schools in Hong Kong and through Kellett Outreach.
The School's experiential programme, including GO weeks, offers exceptional experiences for students, with a primary focus on local experiences provided in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.
art: CREATIVITY at KELLETT CREATIVITY, IMAGINATION, PASSION
Celebrating the creative work of the Class of 2025 A Level and GCSE students
In Term 3, our Year 13 and Year 11 Art students presented their work at the annual A Level and GCSE Art Exhibition, showcasing their portfolio of work over the past two years of their studies, including their exam pieces Our Year 13 students explore the topic of ‘Union’ for their examination while our Year 11 students delve into the topic of ‘Gathering’ We welcome you to check out the A Level/GCSE Art Catalogue to see a sampler of the works from all our Year 13 and Year 11 Art students
ANYA BUFFONGE - A LEVEL ART
Intrigued by the theme of forgetting, I explore how time conceals our memories, using abstraction to convey the distortion and fading of memory This distortion creates a sense of vagueness and ambiguity, reflecting the elusive quality of memories. As you move through the installation, the cloud of neurons reveals fragments of images that, when pieced together, form the composition of the painting, recreating the process of recalling a memory and translating it from a mental experience into a physical one
JAMIE
- GCSE ART
Gathering is both a cultural history and a personal memory The freely squeegeed background represents the vibrancy of community and is enhanced by the screen-printed Chinese floral elements. Centrally located is an oil painting of my grandfather using textural brushstrokes, familiar and historic To the left is a white acrylic dragon created with cross-hatched pen work for a dragon that has a sculptural appearance This work emphasises the difference between paint and pen but also that cultural significance comes from different places. Thus, I feel that through the cacophony of personal stories blended with historical documentation, people come to understand where they are from and the bigger picture in which they are
Having grown up in the vibrant city of Hong Kong, I have always felt a strong connection to the local culture. However, as I matured, I realised that this love for my culture can sometimes feel like a privilege, especially when so many are struggling to survive and have lost their awareness to their surroundings Both of my final installations invite audiences to reflect on and appreciate our environment and rich culture through my perspective
HUANG
SUKI CHAN- A LEVEL ART
Using the metaphor of butterflies, Gathering portrays how society excludes individuals who do not conform to its standards The gold accented butterflies in the upper section were created using screen printing, each with the same wing pattern, representing people who conform to social norms, visually appealing and identical, yet lacking individuality and depth The gold references the Shakespearean quote, “We will all laugh at gilded butterflies ” While the butterflies appear beautiful and gilded, they have lost their true purpose, and have become individuals who sacrifice authenticity for acceptance. The charcoal butterfly heavily contrasts from the other butterflies, symbolising those who do not fit societal expectations and are therefore alienated The use of the charcoal medium gives it a sense of rawness and individuality, highlighting its difference from the uniform gold butterflies above The background has chaotic brushstrokes and visible cracks, created with washes of deep blue-green These elements reflect the flaws and unpredictability within society, suggesting that beneath the surface of conformity, there are underlying issues and instability.
TIA STEARN - A LEVEL ART
For my exam piece, I focused on the strength of union I researched this topic by looking at real life situations from news articles of where union occurred within communities to progress a difficult situation to a beautiful outcome I represented the growth from devastation to happiness through union with natural forms, specifically orchids, which is representative of many strengthening characteristics such as love, thoughtfulness, and resilience Exploring my personal community, I found the overwhelming union between residents in Sai Ying Pun, specifically through the medium of graffiti The concentration of art within a typically confined Hong Kong alley is a powerful beacon of unity that i l S i Yi P
Inspired by my love for science fiction and its recurring theme of alternative universes, I selected this concept as the centrepiece for my project Union Using inverted colours and loose brushstrokes, I illustrate how perceptions can vary among individuals and prompt a deeper questioning of the world around us Are we truly experiencing reality, or are we confined to our unique interpretations? Through this, I invite viewers to reflect on their perspectives and challenge them to consider the ways we can perceive our existence, much like the infinite possibilities of parallel worlds
COLLETTE LEE - A LEVEL ART
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SPORTS ROUNDUP
SEASON 3 & 4
FEB - JUN
Over the course of this academic year, three Kellett footballers were selected by their club’s Senior Team Nicky Kedwards (Y12) and Milos Wong (Y11) were selected by HKFC and BC Rangers, respectively, to play in the HK Premier League while Katie Hulbert (Y11) was selected to play for the HKFC Women’s First Team in the Jockey Club Women’s Football League, the top women ’ s league in Hong Kong We catch up with Milos as he shares some of his thoughts of his first year in the the HKPL
Whatweresomememorablemomentsfromyourseason?
One memorable moment of the season was definitely playing against Leicester City and West Ham United in the Soccer Sevens this year It was my first time playing for the First Team and against other professionals which made it a very memorable experience We beat Leicester City1-0 which helped us advance to the plate semifinals. This was a very remarkable achievement as it is very seldom that we will get to play against top level teams, especially teams from the English Premier League.
The pace and tempo of the game was noticeably different The pace of the game is much quicker with the Senior Team than with the U16 team There’s less time to think when you have the ball. However, after a couple of trainings, I was able to adapt to the speed of the game.
Whatwasitliketomakeyourfirstappearanceinamatch?
I made my first appearance in the Hong Kong Premier League for BC Rangers in the last game of the season. It was a very memorable experience. I still remember my coach calling my name and asking me to put my match shirt and my shin pads on I was a bit nervous before stepping onto the pitch for my first time, but once I stepped on the pitch I knew had to do my job Although I only played 2 minutes in the game, it gave me a great learning experience, and I even managed to touch the ball once when I won a challenge and headed the ball away from our box from a cross our opponent made.
Howdoyoubalanceschoolworkandtraining?
Balancing schoolwork and training sessions was not too bad Training are normally during the night at 7:30pm after school This means that I can get home and revise for around 2 hours before going out to training As GCSEs approached closer, I did skip training sometimes as I felt that I needed extra time to revise for my exams. In total I train three times a week plus one weekly match. Days I do not have football allows me more study time
Howhastheschoolsupported yourfootballing?
The coaches at school have been very supportive of my footballing career as they have allowed me to play on the School’s U20 football team despite me being only eligible for U16 This helped boost my confidence and allowed me to play against bigger players so that when I play in with the Rangers in the HKPL, I am already used to playing against faster and stronger players
Above: Milos (L) getting ready to sub in for his HKPL debut Below: Milos wins a challenge and successfully defends a cross
Parents’ Committee
Claire O’Neill - Parents’ Committee Lead
It’s hard to believe that another school year is over Where does the time fly? And once again this year has been packed with events This term we continued our Native Literacy Classes in all three campuses, PFL prep students had great fun celebrating Dragon Boat Day and the Y10 Career Fair was a great time for both the students and parents Of course we cannot forget the outstanding fundraising event of the year, the Kellett Charity Ball.
A huge thank goes to to all our Functional Leads: Isabelle Atkinson, Shirley Choi, Sapna Hemrajani Chugh, Lourdes Delgado, Sophia Hamri, Anjali Jha, Karen King, Bianca Kirschner, Megha Modi, Claire O’Neill, Jaime Tan and Ruchi Yea for their massive efforts this year We appreciate the sacrifice of their personal time and all their hard work. Their commitment has made the Parents’ Committee events so successful and had an immense positive impact on our students and the wider Kellett Community.
Thank you to all our volunteers for your passion, creativity and tireless efforts. We are truly grateful for everything you do to enrich the Kellett academic experience and support our childrens’ personal growth Here’s to another year of collaboration and success
Thank You Lourdes!
It is also a very sad moment for the Parents’ Committee as the fantastic Lourdes Delgado has decided it is the right moment for her to step down both as Chairperson of the Executive Board and as Functional Lead. Lourdes, almost single handedly, rebuilt the Parents’ Committee following its decimation during Covid During her time with the Parents’ Committee, she has been a brilliant teacher, leader, had inspirational ideas and been an all-round Superwoman We all have nothing but admiration and respect for everything she has done over these years. Few are able to encourage parent involvement and strengthen school spirit as she has done We thank you from the bottom of our hearts and hope to continue to see you at future events!
Parent Volunteers at the Y10 Career Fair
Dragon Boat Festival Celebration (PFL)
PC at the Ball
The Classifieds:
The Kellett Parent Marketplace
Scan or
With the completion of the academic year, we want to recognise some of our longserving staff who hit some special milestones this year
Annette Malcom
Reception Class Teacher (KLB)
Cassie Chiu
Administrator - Activities and Partnerships
Ben Dixon Head of School PFL Prep
Justin McLaughlin Head of Student Well-being
Sam Hill Head of Academic PE Senior School
Dominique McNeill Director of Admissions
Heather Mackinlay
Additional Support Teacher & Coordinator, Senior School
Sabrina Chan
Database Administrator
Years Years Years
Mark Hulbert Year 6 Teacher/Parent Liaison Lead/ECA Coordinator (PFL)
Chun Yin Tsueng
Laboratory Attendant Senior School
Hoi Yan Chan Assistant Head of Senior School/Biology Teacher
Philip Stephen Head of Geography Senior School
Fred Lam Theatre and Performing Arts Technical Manager
Bhavisha Tank
Assistant Head of Senior School/English Teacher
Emily Hill Year 1 Class Teacher (PFL)
Sheetal Bayas
Teaching Assistant (KLB Prep)
Helen Chan
Teaching Assistant (KLB Prep)
Tessa Bull Events & Creative Arts Manager
Leon Tso Data & Cover Administrator
Ed Wawn Chemistry Teacher
Sue Parsons Student Well-being Officer
Dipali Bhatwadekar
Teaching Assistant (PFL)
Originally from India, Sanjay has been part of the Kellett community since 2013, when he and his family moved to Hong Kong from Shanghai
Introduceyourfamily:
Ritu (my wife) is a practicing clinical psychologist Anvita just graduated from Kellett this year and is exploring university options in UK & North America to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE)/Economics Anishka will graduate next year with plans to explore Medicine as an area of interest We have two dogs Sparky (9) and Twinkle (12), both labradoodles.
Whatdoyoudo?
I am the President for Mi global security and risk m
Favouritethingto
As a family we love the beaches, the hikes, trying new restaurants, sports, movies, barbecues and generally socializing with friends. The city has an amazing vibe!
We have been proud members of the Kellett community for many years and I thought joining the board was another way of contributing directly to help Kellett School as it continues it journey as a marquee institution and, more importantly, to have the privilege of being part of the team to formulate the vision going forward
Be curious, raise your hand for new things and be a team player. Kindness is the most powerful weapon, use it liberally. You are part of a great community, be the best Kellett ambassador for life that you can be. Have a sense of humour.
Meet the Vermas (L-R): Sanjay, Anvita, Ritu, Anishka
Sanjay and Ritu celebrating Anvita’s graduation
Celebrating
our Kellett Community beyond the campus
Jamie (Y8)
A round of applause for Jamie for his recent success on the tennis court, first at the HK National Junior Tennis Championships where he and his partner were runners up in U14 Doubles and then in Thailand where he won in U14 Doubles and took Third Place in singles
Brendan (Y6-PFL)
It’s been success on the mat and in maths for Brendan Wong This past term Brendan took home the Gold at the Leap Taekwondo Championships (54kg Division) He then was awarded a Silver Certificate in the Junior Maths Challenge (JMC) and the National Proficiency Award in Math Kangaroo Competition in China Way to go Brendan!
Sheldon (Y7)
Isa & Abi (Y2-PFL)
Congratulations to sisters Isa and Abi for being awarded First and Second prize at the Spring Sunrise Children’s Environmental Writing and Drawing Competition
Anna (Y7)
Big cheer for Anna for taking the silver medal in Vault at the ProGym Kids Gymnastics Tournament!
Tyra (Y9)
Applause for Tyra, who finished as the overall champion at the ProGym Kids Gymnastics Tournament Tyra had a fantastic day, taking home 4 medals!
gratulations to r a silver medal in Vault at the tive Gymnastics Finals Ava (Y3-PFL)
Colin (Y8)
Great job to Colin, who took home the Gold in the Black Belt Dan 2 revision at the Cheung Do Kwan Poomsae Competition
Dhruv (Y8)
Cheers for Lyla who went home with a first place performance in he backstroke at the Harry Wright Swimming Gala Lyla (R-PFL)
Congratulations to Dhruv for his recent bronze plate finish in the Geography Bees Asian Championships and earning a gold medal on the Recent History exam Way to navigate your way to success!
English Teacher in Senior School
Hailing from South Africa, Hayley has been at Kellett for three years teaching both English and Media An avid outdoorswoman, Hayley is a strong supporter of the School’s HKAYP trips and can be found on the beaches and waters of Lamma Island swimming and paddling with her bulldog and husband
Whatissomethingyouarepassionateabout?
I am passionately curious, I think, and this sparks a multitude of other passions: for nature, for literature, for ethics, for food I find life endlessly interesting
Whatmotivatesyouinyourwork?
I became a teacher so that I could help young people discover the joy of learning and recognise that there is enormous power in it, so that is still what motivates me - even when public exam pressures loom large
“I’d like to think that my students will leave my classes having learned a little more about themselves and others, and that, without necessarily realising, they’ve developed new tools for de-coding some of life’s complexities.”
Whatisafuturegoalyou’dliketoachieve?
I’d eventually like to complete my PhD and I’m also working on getting strong enough to bench press my own body weight (at this rate, the PhD might happen sooner, though!)
DescribeKellettin3words
FRIENDLY – No matter how busy things are, smiles and genuine greetings are the norm
DYNAMIC – There is no danger of resting on your laurels at Kellett. Developments and new initiatives unfold rapidly and there is a constant push to remain current in an ever-changing education landscape.
INSPIRING – It is immensely rewarding to work with a community of people who are passionate and professional, and open to challenging conversation
Ifyouwereprincipalforaday, whatwouldyoudo? 5.
I think I’d try to see as many of my colleagues in action as possible. It is a privilege to work with such a diverse range of highly qualified, highly committed and talented teachers and what’s even better is that everyone has their own style and strengths; I think it’s what makes us so strong as an education community It would be lovely to have a day to see the full spectrum of things going on at Kellett
I love all water sports! In Hong Kong I dragon boat and I also paddle outrigger canoes, which involves further distances and more challenging sea conditions – which can be a lot of fun.
There are SO many; in the region, Sri Lanka and Bhutan are pretty high up the list, and further afield would have to be Mexico or Costa Rica
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