french lessons
French International School As the Lycée Français International Victor Segalen turns 50, Evie Burrows-Taylor visits the growing school. Currently celebrating its 50th year, the history of Hong Kong’s French International School – or to use its official name, the Lycée Français International Victor Segalen (FIS) – reflects the pioneering spirit of the city’s expat communities. The school has expanded with Hong Kong’s growing French community from just 30 students in 1964 to 2,600 today. It owes its existence in part to Lantau’s Shek Pik Reservoir, which was constructed from 1957-63 by engineers and technicians who mainly came from France. Having moved to Hong Kong with their families, the need became imperative for a French-speaking school. Classes were held in the French Consulate, then the Alliance Française, Béthanie in Pok Fu Lam and then Borrett Road, Central. A group of parents, including Dutch resistance fighter Suzanne Souloumic, who was married to a French master mariner,
and Alliance Francaise secretary Igny Houël, pushed to establish a French lycée. Visiting the school today, there is no sign of its humble beginnings. It has four campuses, including three on Hong Kong Island (in Jardine’s Lookout, Happy Valley and Chai Wan) and a new premises in Hung Hom, which opened in September. The school is also considering the possibility of building a new campus to increase its annual intake. The primary-school campus in Jardine’s Lookout has three canteens, an impressive hi-tech auditorium that seats up to 360 people and two motoricity rooms, used by the youngest pupils to improve their mobility skills. On Blue Pool Road in Happy Valley, the secondary-school campus has a stunning view of the city from its terrace, used by pupils for studying during free periods and lunchtime. By 2017, the school plans to expand the site,
WWW.SOUTHSIDE.HK | 35