Sai Kung Family Guide 2014

Starting off right... knowledgeable and skilled learners

creative and critical thinkers

reflective problem solvers

effective and precise communicators

responsible members of the community

graduating strong.

Hong Kong Academy is a World IB school, with authorized PYP, MYP and IB Diploma programmes. HKA empowers learners to pursue pathways to individual excellence, preparing them well for the future. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for PK1 – Grade 12. For more information contact 2655-1111 or visit www.hkacademy.edu.hk.

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2014 www.saikung.com

Senior Consultant Editor Jane Steer

Editor Adele Brunner

Deputy Editor Hannah Grogan

Art Director Carly Tonna

Sales Executive Jackie Wilson

Digital Content Editor Sharon Wong

5 Welcome

Accounts Manager Connie Lam

6 Our favourite things

Publisher

Best-kept secrets from those in the know.

Tom Hilditch

16 After-school activities

Contributors

From maths to rugby, there’s something for everyone.

Nobel Cho

Sammy Ko

Steffi Yuen

Kristine Chen

Printer Gear Printing Room 3B, 49 Wong Chuk Hang Road, (Derrick Industrial Building), Wong Chuk Hang

Published by Fast Media Limited LG1, 222 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong Sai Kung Family Guide is published by Fast Media Ltd. This magazine is published on the understanding that the publishers, advertisers, contributors and their employees are not responsible for the results of any actions, errors and omissions taken on the basis of information contained in this publication. The publisher, advertisers, contributors and their employees expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person, whether a reader of this publication or not, in respect of any action or omission by this publication. Fast Media Ltd cannot be held responsible for any errors or inaccuracies provided by advertisers or contributors.

The views herein are not necessarily shared by the staff or publishers. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any way, part or format without written permission from the publisher.

www.fastmedia.com.hk

28 Outdoors Sai Kung’s best outdoor activities.

40 Online Connect with local Facebook pages.

42 Parties How to organise stress-free celebrations.

46 Eating Slap-up meals at kid-friendly restaurants.

48 Education Your guide to the area’s schools.

60 Marketplace Cool stuff to buy and do.

64 Well-being Child-focused health and wellness practitioners.

66 Numbers Contacts you can’t live without.

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welcome

Editor’s Note

W

hen I swapped Pok Fu Lam for Clearwater Bay more than 10 years ago, a friend who lived on the Island told me that “moving to the dark side was social suicide”. Fast forward a decade and instead of the companionless wasteland she envisaged for me, I have a network of fantastic friends, my children go to great schools and the whole Sai Kung area just keeps getting better.

New shops and restaurants are opening and complementing existing favourites; there are more things to do and fewer reasons to leave. What’s more, we have some of Hong Kong’s most beautiful beaches and stunning country parks on our doorsteps.

So welcome to Clearwater Bay and Sai Kung – and welcome to the neighbourhood’s ultimate family guide.

We have tried to list as many different clubs, classes and hobbies as we can to keep kids busy after school and all sorts of exciting outings and activities for the whole family.

We have included common knowledge and shared some “best-kept secrets”. We hope this guide will be an essential read for newcomers and old Sai Kung hands might discover new people and places.

And my die-hard Island friend? She moved to Clearwater Bay a few years ago too.

Adele

Adele Brunner Editor

5

ideas

6

Our favourite things Best-kept secrets from those in the know.

Spending time on a boat is a favourite of ours. It is a cracking day out and getting kids sailing is not only fun for them but gives them wellrounded personal development, good muscle tone and respect for the ocean.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department’s watersports centres in the Sai Kung Country Park (Chong Hing and Wong Shek; www.lcsd.gov.hk) are amazing. They run all sorts of sailing and watersports courses for really reasonable prices and organise fun days for the public too.

Kylie Waterstrom Elite Charters Hong Kong 7

ideas If you walk through Nam Pin Wai village [off the large roundabout at the bottom of Hiram’s Highway], and keep walking, you end up passing lots of little organic farms and vegetable plots. It’s an easy path for children to negotiate and they get to see people gardening, and all sorts of different herbs and vegetables growing. It’s so green around there, you keep asking yourself whether it really is Hong Kong!

Linda Chuen Sabai Day Spa

We love having a family foot rub at Seafoot Reflexology. They have special little chairs for children and a great selection of kids’ books. It is great down time for all of us - everyone is calm, still and quiet. We often follow it up by going to Sushi Tenku, the Japanese restaurant in the square. It is gluten-free, perfect for my youngest daughter who has to be very careful about what she eats.

Elizabeth Jeffrey Babushka

The Victoria Recreation Club (VRC) gets our vote.

The kids can run around and go wild. Even if they don’t know the other children who happen to be there, they end up all hanging out in one I love taking my children big gang. We also love going paddling on to the Lions Nature and our stand-up paddle boards.

Education Centre. There is Lisa Peterson Sheung Sze Wan lots of space to run around,

play ball and hide and seek or simply have a nice walk.

We often take a picnic too.

Ursula Huber Dymocks Sai Kung

We love Po Toi O. Good for fish restaurants, noodles, fried rice, beer, wine, meeting up with friends, taking your rellies when they visit for a taste of the local fare and occasional Chinese opera. It is a short walk from Tin Hau Temple and has a pier to dock your boats, pick up a junk or do a spot of fishing.

Corrine Valentine Po Toi O 8

Nursery Furniture & Accessories

Children’s Shoes

Baby Basics & Toiletries

Pushchairs

Everything you need at...

Children’s Furniture

Baby & Toddler Food

Safety & First Aid

Baby & Children’s Clothing & Swimwear

Toys

Highchairs

Car Seats

Maternity Wear

Pedder Building Store 5/F Pedder Building,12 Pedder Street, Central T: 2522 7112 Horizon Plaza Store 21/F Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau T: 2552 5000 www.bumpstobabes.com

ideas

Sai Kung Stingrays!

Paul White, ex-chairman of Sai Kung Stingrays rugby club

You can’t beat roller skating and bike riding on the Ho Chung water catchment road and also the amazing bike paths in Tseung Kwan O. Britt Joynsen cinema at Raw Galore

One of our favourite things to do is to hire bikes in Tai Po and go Star cycling along the waterfront Popcorn Mall [in and reservoir near Plover Tseung Kwan O] is We enjoy skiing: Cove. The cycling paths good; also, seafood snow skiing in are flat and the scenery winter and in Hong beautiful. There are some nosh at Po Toi O. Kong that means good Thai and Italian Brett Free waterskiing. Blue Sky restaurants for afterwards. Tai Sheung Sze Wan Sports Club (blueskyPo public swimming pool (11 Ting sc.com) rents waterskis, Tai Road) is another good day out. It a boat, a driver and all equipment – we has massive water slides and several simply turn up at Sha Ha Beach with our pools but nobody ever seems to go there. swimmers and go. My wife and I were Sean Prior, coach also given a blow-up paddle board for our Asia Pacific Soccer School birthday so we’re quite into spending our free time on the water. When the kids were young, we couldn’t do all this but we’ve Particularly when the weather is cooler, turned into a family of water babies. it’s fun to take a picnic to Bride’s Pool Andrew Culhane and explore.

Clearwater Bay Fanny Chan, Sai Kung 10

We live by Hoi Ha Beach so that would be my pick for the favourite thing my family likes to do. It is a beautiful, unspoiled beach and any time there is well spent.

Rachael Footer Rachael’s Fun House

We love pennyboarding around Sai Kung square, eating and dog walking along the waterfront. Our daughter Emily, 13, recently did stand-up paddle boarding with Sai Kung Watersports (bluesky-sc. com), so that’s another new favourite.

The Gobel family, Silverstrand

As we are lucky enough to have our own boat, one of our favourite things to do is go to Whiskey Beach – the one after Hap Mun Beach.

It is quite quiet and a really lovely beach.

Caroline and Iain Chapman Ho Chung

Kite flying at Clearwater Bay Country Park is a great activity when you have an hour or so to fill.

Kellie Irwin House of Cards

A walk up to the very top of Chuk Yeung Road to Wong Chuk Yeung, the old, deserted Chinese village. Spooky and fascinating at the same time.

Carol Musgrave, Sai Kung

There are so many simple but fun things to do with children around Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay. Our favourites include going to various beaches such as Sheung Sze Wan and Clearwater Bay Second Beach, hiking the trails, bike riding around Hang Hau and swimming at Sai Kung and Tseung Kwan O swimming pools.

Nicky Anderson Typhoon Homeware 11

XXXXX ideas

We love taking the boat out to Yau Ley and having a late lunch at the seafood restaurant. If we have time, we often follow this up with an afternoon swim at Bluff Island, especially after 4pm when all the junks have left. Another nice day out is taking a minibus from the gate at the Sai Kung Country Park to Hoi Ha Beach. It is a great beach, very quiet, with lovely walks and barbecue pits.

Alison Maddren, Po Toi O

My kids love simply hanging around and skateboarding in Sai Kung square as they always bump into their friends.

We also enjoy walking along the waterfront and seeing what the local fishermen have caught.

Diana White, Sheung Sze Wan We like walking to Trio Beach and having a swim there, especially on Boxing Day. The lifeguards are friendly and turn a blind eye to dogs and ball games if the beach isn’t busy.

Snorkelling off beaches is fun and you see more than you would think. If you have older kids, Splash HK (splashhk. com) runs great scuba diving courses and organises regular Splash dive days out on a boat when anyone can join.

Fiona Bojan, Silverstrand 12

Sai Kung swimming pool rocks! Also, the squash courts in Sai Kung [next to the swimming pool] are great for having a bash with the kids. A perfect thing to do when it’s wet outside.

Sue Parsons Sai Kung

We love kayaking through the natural rock arches on the way to Sai Wan beach and then hiking up the river valley to get to the Sheung Luk river pools and cliff jumps.

Alison Cooke, Silverstrand

Hiking up High Junk Peak [near Sheung Sze Wan on Clearwater Bay Road]; the waterslides and diving pool at Tseung Kwan O; cycling, skate boarding and roller blading along the Tseung Kwan O paths; spending time at Clearwater Bay’s beaches…

Lise Harrow, Clearwater Bay

ACTIVITIES activities

Picture: Tutti Music

Child’s play Fun things to do after school.

Bricks 4 Kidz Children who like Lego will love Bricks 4 Kidz, which uses the famous little bricks in hands-on classes for children from two to teens. Sessions start with a teacher-led discussion, followed by a chance for students to collaborate on a design that resolves a set task. Weekly classes and holiday camps available.

65 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, 6184 6229, www.bricks4kidz.com.

ARTS & CRAFTS Anastassia’s Art House Hong Kong’s only Russian art academy, Anastassia’s Art House is on a mission to bring Russian and Western art heritage to Hong Kong through a range of structured art classes for students aged three to 16 years. Children have an array of choices, including art, drawing and sketching, ceramics, Chinese painting, fashion, graphic, interior and product design. Adult classes available.

9 Hoi Pong Street, Sai Kung, 2719 5533, www.arthouse-hk.com.

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Craft Hour Creative kids aged six to 11 can learn all kinds of arty skills at Craft Hour, held every Saturday, 9.30am-10.30am. There is a termly curriculum with seasonal projects, teaching everything from knitting and weaving to paper crafts and decorative painting. Classes are held at the Sascha Camille Howard Artist Studio, G/F, Lot 787, Po Tung Road, Sai Kung. Contact Lisa Ackerman on 6757 2564, crafthourasia@gmail.com, www.crafthourasia.com.

Kuro Vale Pottery Pottery gallery and studio Kuro Vale offers classes teaching children aged six to 12 the basics of “handbuilding” clay and transforming their ideas into 3-D pieces. Classes are held in English on Thursdays and Saturdays, and in Chinese on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays ($800 for four 90-minute classes, plus $100 a month for glazes and firing). Adult classes are held 1pm-3pm every Thursday and cost $250 for two hours. 48 See Cheung Street, Sai Kung, kurovale@hotmail.com.

Little Hands The Little Hands Workshop runs eco-friendly arts and crafts classes for children aged two-and-a-half to 12 years, using only recyclable and recycled materials. Private parties and art jam sessions are also available.

Shop 12 (above Babushka), 66 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 5431 3122.

Swiss Art Studio Swiss Art Studio has a choice of classes for young artists. Hour-long sessions for the under-sixes cover basic art techniques in a fun environment. Older children can sign up for the 90-minute classes as part of the Royal Talens Certificate. There are Family Fun Classes where mum and dad can join in. G/F, 14A1 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 3188 4127, info.sak@swissartstudio.com.hk.

COOKERY Lighthouse If your mini masterchef is looking for an outlet to practice their cooking skills, Lighthouse is just the place. This kitchen-playroom-classroom enables children to play, cook and learn in a safe, hands-on and fun environment that promotes creativity and discovery.

Cooking classes are offered in English and Mandarin for children aged three to 12, so not only do they learn to cook a variety of Western and Chinese dishes but learn languages using cooking as a medium. Recipes change regularly and children take part in every aspect of preparing a complete dish as well as enjoying it at the end of the lesson.

Lighthouse also offers parent-andchild classes and private cooking parties, and its space can also be hired as a venue.

Other classes include the Five Senses playgroup for children aged six to 36 months (with parents), Mandarin, English and bilingual playgroups and tutorials, synthetic and Letterland phonics

sessions, and Cambridge Young English Learner and Revision groups. G/F, 183B Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 2791 2918, info@lighthouseplayroom.com, www.lighthouseplayroom.com.

($1,500 for a 10-week period). Private classes are $700/hr. 787 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 5467 4674, rbssaikung@gmail.com, www. russianballetschool-hk.com.

DANCE

Southern School of Dance This popular dance school offers lessons in classical ballet, tap and modern jazz for children from preschool ages to teenagers. There is even a hip-hop class for boys only. Don’t forget your hankie at the school’s annual show. Staged at a theatre in Hong Kong, choreographed by the teachers and with everyone at the school taking part, it is an emotional experience to see your little ones dancing their hearts out in front of an audience.

6A Shaw House, Shaw Studios, Clearwater Bay Road, 2705 9538, www.southernschoolofdance.com.hk.

Echoes of Erin School of Dance Kick up your heels and channel your inner Riverdancer, Echoes of Erin offers classes in traditional and contemporary Irish dancing for children from three years to adults.

The dancers perform at various balls and functions across Hong Kong and the school has won numerous awards for its performances at international competitions. Fast-paced and fun, the Sai Kung classes are currently held at Tina’s Dance Studio, Jungle Studio (near Pepperoni’s) and Renaissance College, with the possible addition of a new class at Hong Kong Academy. Contact Catriona Newcombe on 9093 8125, info@echoesirishdance.com, www.echoesirishdance.com.

Russian Ballet School Not only is this the first Russian ballet school in Hong Kong, it is also the first in the SAR to exclusively use the Vaganova system. This training method is used in most professional ballet companies and their associated schools, and is proven to produce excellent results with both vocational and recreational students. A variety of classes (including some specifically for boys aged seven to 12) are held daily, catering for mini ballerinas aged three right through to advanced adults. First-time trial classes are $160; once enrolled, you have to pay for 10 classes or more in advance

Tina’s Dance Studio Tina offers ballet classes throughout the week for tiny dancers as young as two-and-a-half years. Hip hop is also on the menu for kids who want to be a hit at the school disco. 15 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, 2328 2250, www.tinasdancestudiosaikung.com.

Picture: Bricks 4 Kidz

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activities school subjects. As well as regular subjects, it offers school interview preparation techniques, online distance learning, school and university admissions advice and a school placement consultancy service. 3188 3940, es@tuition.com.hk, www.tuition.com.hk.

TUITION Enopi If your children are in a muddle with maths, try Enopi. B1, Marina Cove Shopping Centre, Sai Kung, 2335 1261.

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ITS Global Education Limited ITS Tutorial School (ITS) provides private tutor services in English for a comprehensive range of tertiary, secondary and primary

Kumon Kumon provides maths, English and Chinese programmes for children of all ages using the Kumon Method. Before enrollment, an instructor will explain the method, provide a free assessment of the child’s ability, set an individualised learning projection and arrange appropriate learning materials for the child. Students are required to come to the centre every week on schedule and continue their daily study at home. B12, Marina Cove Shopping Centre, 2335 9665, www.kumon.com.cn.

Quest Study Skills Quest Study Skills provides secondary and pre-secondary students with practical strategies and tools to succeed academically, via small group courses, programmes and workshops at various locations including the Australian International School in Kowloon Tong. Private tutorials are also available; holiday and Saturday courses offered. 2690 9117, www.queststudyskills.com.

Sai Kung Tutors Sai Kung Tutors offers a wide variety of academic tutoring, guidance and extracurricular activities for primary and secondary students. Subjects include maths, chemistry, physics and languages and are usually taught oneon-one at the student’s home. Specific group “clinics” have been introduced for various subjects. Call Tammy on 5321 4400, info@saikungtutors.com, www.saikungtutors.com.

The Reading Room Individual and group tuition in English speaking, writing, reading, phonics and listening, taught by native English speakers on the waterfront. 21 Hoi Pong Street, Sai Kung, 9199 5900, english@thereadingroom.com.hk, www.thereadingroom.com.hk.

TLC Kids From maths to magic classes, TLC offers entertaining ways for kids to develop academic skills in a fun environment. It has even incorporated MineCraft into certain programmes. 2606 2770, info@tlckids.com.hk, www.tlcglobal.net.

True Communication If your child has speech, language, reading, spelling or written language difficulties, True Communication: Speech, Language & Literacy Services can help. It offers individual speech, language and literacy assessments and sessions tailored to your child’s needs, supplemented by reports and suggestions for home practice.

Contact Nic Parker, speech and language therapist on 6449 7347, nic@truecommunicationslt.com.

Uni-Tutors Hong Kong This tuition company employs university undergraduates to tutor school students and specialises in IB, A Level, IGCSE and HKDSE curricula as well as general tuition. The service covers most subjects, including languages, maths, sciences, social sciences, business and economics. Fees vary from $150 to $400 an hour. 9483 2427, unitutorshk@ gmail.com, www.unitutorshk.com.

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activities plenty of smiling faces. The DVDs cost from $100 from www.clever-cloggs. com.hk and Today Speed Prof, G/F, 26 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, 2792 5815.

LANGUAGES Clay Story Studio Learn Chinese through play with clay at Mandarin ceramic classes for children aged four to 10. 32A Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 2791 6126.

Clever Cloggs This bilingual English and Mandarin programme on DVD is tailored for children and toddlers from the age of six months. Words are spoken in native English and Mandarin with episodes on topics such as transport, colours and shapes filled with clear, relevant speech, bright visuals, songs and

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Easy English for Kids Make learning English fun with stories, songs, art and outdoor play. EEK also runs a Mandarin playgroup for preschoolers.

28F Sai Keng Village, Sai Sha Road, Sai Kung, 3487 3053, www.eek.com.hk.

Jumpstart Mandarin Learning Centre Small group classes in Mandarin for children of all ages with an emphasis on task-based learning through stories, games and other activities. 2/F, 51 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 2791 4838, www.jumpstartmlc.com.

La Petite France Calling all aspiring francophiles. A little corner of France can be found in Sai Kung, offering French language lessons for children aged eight to late teens as

well as classes in other aspects of French culture from books to movies to wine – although that last one isn’t so much for the kids. G/F, 787 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 2791 0082, www.lapetitefrancehk.com.

Les Petits Lascars de Sai Kung This centre offers native French teachers and a helpful hand for any future applicants of the French International School. 2/F, 16 Wan King Path, Sai Kung, 2526 8892, www.lespetitslascars.com.

Sai Kung English This family-run business offers a wide variety of services for all levels from beginners to the more advanced.

As well as individual or group English language lessons, SKE also teaches through creative-oriented activities such as drama, music and chess.

Contact James at 6407 8574, james@saikungenglish.com, www.saikungenglish.com.

MUSIC Island Glee Club The Island Glee Club for aspiring singers will keep you believing that you can be a star. Weekly classes in Sai Kung cover topics such as breathing techniques, choreography and stage craft basics.

9389 5880, www.islandgleeclub.com.

Music Horizon This music centre gives lessons in a wide variety of instruments including guitar, piano, drums, flute, violin and the saxophone. Singing, Mandarin and art are also taught. 188 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 2791 7676, www.music-saikung.com.

Tutti Music A holistic music education programme for early childhood that aims to develop fundamental skills through ageappropriate musical activities. Offering courses from Musikgarten music and movement classes (from birth to four years) to Little Voices singing class for

children aged three to six, Tutti Music will start your child on a lifelong journey of music appreciation.

Group and individual tuition in various instruments available. Shop 205, Park Central, Tseung Kwan O, 2176 4028, www.tmusic.com.hk.

Guitar Guy Le Claire Music Room Guitarist and composer, Guy Le Claire, teaches all styles of guitar and levels out of his studio in Wai Sum Village in Clearwater Bay. 9765 9707, guyleclairemusic@yahoo.com.

Piano Grand Piano Limited Think you may have a child prodigy on your hands? Grand Piano has a team of teachers ready to come to your home and

teach all ages from toddlers upwards.

Other instrument lessons available as well as music appreciation and theory. info@grandpiano.hk, www.grandpiano.hk.

Vianne at My Music Wonderland Piano This highly experienced piano teacher previously taught in kindergartens and primary schools as well as at Tom Lee. She will come to your home and get kids aged three and upwards tinkling the ivories and having fun doing so. 6014 9389, contact@ mymusicwonderland.com, www.mymusicwonderland.com.

Singing Singing with Selina Classically trained teacher Selina offers singing lessons to children of all ages and skill levels. 5194 1000, selinayhchu@gmail.com.

ESF Lions Youth Football SAI KUNG SOCCER SUNDAYS Wai Man Road Playground, Sai Kung

Girls Football: 4+ (9 - 10am) Soccer Cubs: 2-4yrs (10 - 11am) Football Fun: 4-9yrs (10 - 11am) Fast Paced 5/side: 9+ (11am-12pm) With expert qualified coaches, locally based & first aid trained, be assured of coaching quality & child safety.

ESF Lions Youth Football Academy operates across Hong Kong with an excellent support structure & elite player pathways for children wishing to take their football to the next level.

Contact us today for further information.

www.esf.org.hk sports@esf.org.hk tel 2711 1280 1/2 Page Sai Kung Magazine.indd 1

Play Football

with the ESF Lions 19/08/2013 11:14 21

activities SPORT Ball skills Playball This sports-based playgroup is for little ones aged from two to eight. Children learn all kinds of skills such as teamwork, balance and mid-line crossing from nine different sports including basketball, baseball, hockey, rugby and netball. First lesson is free; private parties available.

Classes currently on Monday afternoon at Ho Chung Soccer Pitch, Sai Kung, and Renaissance College, Heng On. www.playballhk.com.

Cricket Imran Cricket Academy Learn how to deliver a googly and hit a wicket as well as bat, bowl and play cricket the fun way. Sessions held every Friday at Clearwater Bay School and in Sai Kung, also runs cricket camps, tournaments and birthday parties. 9745 2700, www.imranacademy.com.

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Football Asia Pacific Soccer School APSS puts budding Peles through their paces every week at various locations in Clearwater Bay and Sai Kung. They coach girls and boys from five to 14 as well as private football or World Cup parties. Visit www.apsoccer. hk.com or call 2385 9677 for details.

Sai Kung Sharks Football Club Play footy every weekday if you want to with the Sai Kung Sharks.

Training sessions for kids five and up are held at the Sai Kung and Pak Kong football pitches. 9125 7946, charles@saikungsharks.com, www.saikungsharksfc.com.

Golf Garden Farm Golf Garden Farm Golf has 93 driving bays, grass areas for chipping, putting and teeing off and a free putting area for children. 8C Tseng Tau Village, Shap Sze Heung, Sai Sha Road, 2791 9098, www.gardenfarmgolf.com

ESF Lions ESF Lions offers soccer coaching programmes for players aged two to 16. 10am-1pm, Sundays, Wai Man Road Playground, Sai Kung, 2760 3934, jim.hackett@esf.org.hk.

HKJC Kau Sai Chau Golf Club Lessons taught by former professionals are offered for juniors at Hong Kong’s only public golf course, a short ferry ride from Sai Kung. Call the Golf Instruction Centre on 2791 3388, www. kscgolf.org.hk.

Whitehead Golf Club Set on the edge of Tolo Harbour, this driving range has 160 real grass driving bays and offers a Family Training Course to teach adults and children the basics of the game. Lok Wo Shan Lane, Ma On Shan, 2631 9900, www.whiteheadclub.com.

beams, trapezes, uneven bars and a wide range of tunnels and padded equipment. Sessions are for children aged four months to nine years and also include aerobics, yoga and karate for the over-threes. Shop 202, Park Central, 9 Tong Tak Street, Tseung Kwan O, 3968 7500.

Horse Riding The Clearwater Bay Equestrian Centre Treat your little princes and princesses to horse-riding lessons in Clearwater Bay. It also hosts pony parties and parent and toddler coffee mornings.

115 Mau Po, Clearwater Bay, 6398 6241, www.ceec.hk.

Gymnastics Flipping Kids Cartwheeling kids get their acrobatic fix with Gay Williamson, a trained gymnast who runs classes at Clearwater Bay Country Club. Classes are held on Mondays and Tuesdays for four-year-olds and upwards. Email williamsongay65@gmail.com or call the club on 2719 1595.

JWT Kids Gym Not strictly gymnastics, the classes at JWT Kids Gym are designed to stretch young bodies and minds in a fun way. Equipment includes balance

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activities Ice Hockey And Ice Skating The Rink at Elements Mall Get your skates on and head over to the Rink at Elements Mall. On offer are regular group, private or semi-private figure skating (30 minutes) and ice hockey sessions (45 minutes) but you can always take your chances and turn up for a walk-in lesson if space is available. G/F, Elements, 1 Austin Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2196 8016, www. rink.com.hk.

Martial Arts Tae Kwon Do Ohdokwan What boy doesn’t want to be a martial arts god? Master Norman Law teaches basic techniques, discipline, self control and defence and sparring sessions.

Lessons held at Clearwater Bay School. F6342 7338, masterlaw@ohdokwan.org.

Cityplaza Ice Palace Tai Koo Shing’s Cityplaza Ice Palace is Hong Kong’s largest skating school and has about 30 coaches offering private and group lessons. 18/F, One Island East, 18 Westlands Road, Taikoo Shing, www.icepalace.com.hk.

Rugby DeA Tigers Follow in the footsteps of Hong Kong rugby star Rowan Varty at the DeA Tigers, which teaches rugby to children from ages three to 18 every Sunday morning at King’s Park, Kowloon. www.deatigersrfc.com.

Mega Ice For those of you who like a challenge (and a bruising), Mega Ice hosts ice hockey classes at MegaBox. It is the only NHL-sized rink in Hong Kong, and is home to the Penguins junior ice hockey club and the Hong Kong Academy of Ice Hockey. Private and group figure skating and hockey lessons are available. Level 10, 38 Wang Chiu Road, Kowloon Bay, 9181 1662, www.megaice.com.hk.

RugBees It’s never too early to get your kids playing “the gentlemen’s game”.

RugBees is Asia’s first dedicated rugby play programme tailored for children from walking to five years old. It adopts a play-and-learn ethos, where children are taught key motor skills geared towards rugby principals such as catching, kicking, teamwork and,

most importantly, fun. Different themes incorporate music, stories and creative equipment. 2117 3055, nicepeople@ rugbees.com, www.rugbees.com.

Sai Kung Stingrays What’s not to love about this friendly family-run club, which runs rugby training for children aged five to under-19s.

Training is held for most age groups at the Sai Kung Stadium every Sunday morning in season (AugustMarch) with games at regular tournaments. www.stingrays.org.

Running Junior Run Club Popular Sai Kung triathletes and fitness trainers Tim Stevens and Warren Warner have joined forces to come up with a brand-new athletic track training programme for 10-year-olds upwards.

It incorporates drills to improve technique, muscular and core strength and endurance with an emphasis on taking part and getting fitter. 9196 9442, skbasecamp@gmail.com.

Sailing Hebe Haven Yacht Club After-school and Saturday sailing for children year-round, in boats of various classes including Optimists, Lasers and Picos. Holiday courses such as the Summer Adventure Multi-Activity weeks and sailing at different levels are also offered. 2719 9682, www.hhyc.org.

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Swimming/Watersports Blue Sky Sports Club Blue Sky is well-known in Sai Kung for its swimming lessons and teach all ages at Sai Kung public pool. The team also runs the Sai Kung Water Sports Training Center with courses for adventurous Annies and Andrews such as wakeboarding, dragon boating, kayaking, surfing and stand-up paddle boarding. 2792 4938, info@bluesky-sc. com, www.bluesky-sc.com.

ESF Swimming Sharks The mighty ESF Sports Services offer termly and holiday courses at Sha Tin College and Renaissance College to get your kids swimming like fish.

Tadpoles, Frogs and Goldfish classes teach three- to five-year-olds the basics while Dolphins, Stingrays, Seals and Swordfish classes hone the skills of older kids. 2711 1280, www.esf.org.hk.

Mango Swimming Club Triathlete Mango teaches all ages to swim at Sai Kung swimming pool and can improve the stroke technique and stamina of older kids. He also offers

an introduction to triathlons with training in swimming, running and cycling. 8100 9934, mangoswimmingclub@yahoo.com.hk.

Tennis Hong Kong Educational Services The Australasia Tennis Aces are tennis programme providers for ESF Services, and teach kids from four years. They operate locally at Renaissance College, Clearwater Bay, Kowloon Junior and King George V schools. 2711 1280, sports@esf.org.hk, www.esf.org.hk.

Grand Slam Sports Although based at the Repulse Bay Club, Grand Slam is hoping to expand to coach women and children based in Sai Kung. Group and private lessons available. 9161 7094, marcus@grandslamtennis.hk.

Hong Kong International Tennis Academy Coach Lea Lai offers lessons several times a week for children from ages two to six at the Sai Kung Tennis Courts. 9662 8888, lea.lai@hkita.com, www.hkita.com.

Monster Tennis Monster Tennis teaches tennis skills to two- to 10-year olds. First hour trial lesson is free; tennis parties available. benny.lin@hkita.com, www.monstertennis.hk.

Multi-Sport Keeping kids fit and gainfully occupied for years at various venues around Hong Kong, Multi-Sport has headed to Sai Kung for the first time. Operating out of Hong Kong Academy, it is offering gymnastics, soccer, basketball, mini tennis and junior sports for all ages. 2540 1257, admin@multi-sport. com.hk, www.multi-sport.com.hk.

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activities Yoga Gecko Yoga Gecko Yoga is all about passing on real yoga concepts in kid-friendly ways, mixing storytelling and fun games with yoga poses. Classes for babies as young as six weeks through to sessions for teens and families. 6973 1792, info@ geckoyoga.com, www.geckoyoga.com.

Julie Dixon Give your kids a stretch with popular yoga teacher Julie Dixon. She teaches two children’s sessions on Thursday afternoons at the Clearwater Country Club for ages seven to nine (4.15pm5.15pm) and 10-13 year olds (5pm5.45pm). juliedixon65@hotmail.com.

Teresa Leung Teresa offers private yoga classes for teenagers and children at the Sai Kung Squash Courts. 9271 0222, chaushun888@hotmail.com.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT Cub Scouts The Sai Kung troop is part of the 299 East Kowloon Scouts. Boys aged eight to 11 meet every Thursday, 6pm-7.30pm, to learn all those traditional boys skills such as tying knots as well as a whole lot more.

Pak Sha Wan Tam Wah Ching Sea Activity Centre, Sai Kung, saikungcubs@gmail. com; www.scout.org.hk.

Grasshopper Scouts Energetic boys and girls from six to eight years will love Grasshopper Scouts (aka Beaver Scouts). They experience an adventurous programme of outdoor activities, games and creative play, enjoying time with existing friends and making new ones.

They meet every Wednesday, 4.15pm5.30pm, and as it is run by volunteers, commitment is essential. Location as above. saikungbeavers@gmail.com.

Learn to dance at Shaw House

(Opposite CWB School) Wed am 3-5yr Ballet every a ernoon and Saturday mornings RAD Ballet ISTD Tap, Jazz, Modern & Hip-hop Call Mrs Knight

www.southernschoolofdance.com.hk

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2872 6917

Brownies Get your little girls dibbing and dobbing and doing all sorts of other exciting activities at Brownies. The East 64th Kowloon Brownie Pack is for girls from six to 12 and holds regular meetings on Monday afternoons. As well as learning new hobbies and skills, girls can extend existing knowledge and abilities by working towards all sorts of badges.

Hong Kong Girl Guides Association of HK, Pak Sha Wan Tam Wah Ching Sea Activity Centre, Sai Kung, 2359 6877, www.hkgga.org.hk.

OTHER Hong Lok Yuen Country Club Hong Lok Yuen Country Club has all sorts of activities to keep kids (and adults) occupied. As well as three swimming pools, indoor and outdoor playgrounds, it offers tennis, mini soccer, basketball, squash, ballet,

jazz dance and calligraphy to name a few. Although it is a members-only club (membership costs $40,000 with monthly fees of $1,500), summer camps for kids are usually open to non-members too. 8 Town Centre Crescent, Hong Lok Yuen, 2657 8899, www.hlycc.com.

Girl Guides The 64th East Kowloon Girl Guide Company is an English-speaking company that meets in Sai Kung. Girls must be aged at least 10 in year six at or above. Hong Kong Girl Guides Association of HK, Pak Sha Wan Tam Wah Ching Sea Activity Centre, Sai Kung, 2359 6877, www.hkgga.org.hk.

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outdoors

Go wild Make the most of the Great Outdoors.

BEACHES

91 bus from Choi Hung going down Clearwater Bay Road or minibus 16 from Po Lam. There is a car park but it fills quickly at weekends and holidays.

Trio Beach So close, yet so far from the madding crowd. Trio has all the beauty of a private island, with a view of Port Shelter that could have come out of a Hemingway novel, yet is easily accessible with barbecues and facilities.

How to get there: Take the green 101 minibus to Pak Sha Wan and take the sampan service from the public pier. Alternatively, hike 45 minutes from Che Keng Tuk Road (near SKIP kindergarten).

Photo: Ferdinand Corpuz

Tai Long Wan Arguably our most beautiful beaches, Sai Wan, Ham Tin and Tai Long are a pit-stop for stressed Hong Kongers and determined surfer dudes.

How to get there: Catch the 29R bus from outside McDonald’s in Sai Kung town centre to Sai Wan Pavillion, then put your best foot forward for an hour-long hike to Sai Wan beach.

Clearwater Bay Second Beach If you don’t have the time or energy to trek to a more remote spot, this beach ticks all the boxes, particularly if you have little ones with limited stamina and patience with walking. This stretch of sandy beach is perfect for digging while swimming to pontoons will keep older children happy.

How to get there: Take the

Hoi Ha Wan It’s easy to forget that Hong Kong possesses one of the most abundant marine ecosystems in the region. The rare coral and mangrove habitats, pristine beach and abundant wildlife at Hoi Ha Wan reminds us our city’s richness is more than just material.

How to get there: Take the 7 minibus from Sai Kung town centre.

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BIKE TRAILS Tseung Kwan O/Lohas Park Saddle up and get the whole family cycling around seemingly endless linked bike paths from Tseung Kwan O and Lohas Park to Hang Hau and Po Lam. The straight, flat Lohas Park stretch on the other side of the bridge is perfect for little ones getting to grips with two wheels or for older kids to perfect their skateboarding skills.

Tolo Harbour Cycling Track One of Hong Kong’s longest continuous bike trails will take you through parks, past temples and along stunning harbour frontage from Tai Wai to Tai Mei Tuk. Cycle it in sections – such as the path running along the waterfront past the Hong Kong Science Park in Sha Tin – or, if you’ve got a budding Bradley Wiggins on your hands, tackle the whole 20 kilometres. Reward yourself at the end with ice creams and picturesque views of Plover Cove.

Tai Mong Tsai Just past the entrance to the Victoria Recreation Club (VRC) on Tai Mong Tsai Road is a short but pleasant bike path

that starts with a bit of uphill pedalling and flattens out to a circuit around a grassy area with barbecue pits. Ideal for small children.

EXCURSIONS Clearwater Bay Country Park Go fly a kite in the Clearwater Bay Country Park, which is blessed with stunning views and almost constant breezes. If you haven’t got your own model, a small kiosk sells cheap paper kites (and drinks) that do the trick. There is a 30-minute tree walk plus paths galore to explore and trees to climb. Bring your own picnic or make use of one of the barbecue pits.

How to get there: KMB bus 91 or green minibus 103M to the mini roundabout on Clearwater Bay Road and then a 1.5km walk to the park. Free parking available.

ponds. Browse the insectarium, Shell House and Rock Academy, and let the kids run themselves ragged on the paths and playgrounds and have a ball.

How to get there: Che Keng Tuk Road, 2792 2234, www.lnec.gov.hk.

Pak Sha O This picturesque spot off the road to Hoi Ha can be reached via a 10-minute walk through lush subtropical forest and paddyfields. The well-preserved Hakka village is an enchanting place, alive with butterflies and dragonflies skimming small ponds filled with fish.

How to get there: Take minibus 7 from Sai Kung town centre towards Hoi Ha and disembark at the youth hostel.

Lions Nature & Education Centre Sai Kung isn’t exactly a teeming metropolis but this 16-hectare park is a real oasis off busy Hiram’s Highway.

Its maze of stroller-friendly paths wind through orchards, vegetable beds (organic produce is sold at weekends) and a Chinese Medicine Garden, over little bridges and around dragonfly 29

outdoors Sheung Yiu Family Walk The Sheung Yiu Family Walk is flat

by Hong Kong standards, an easy 75 minutes on firm footing. Start at Fat Kee Store, just beyond the Sai Kung East Country Park gate at Pak Tam Chung. Turn right over the bridge and follow the signs. The more energetic can add another 90 minutes by detouring to High Island Reservoir.

Short or long, both walks offer terrific sea views as well as a clean river for a quick splash and a preserved Hakka village, now the Sheung Yiu Museum (open 9am-4pm, closed Tuesdays).

How to get there: Drivers can park at Pak Tam Chung and walk five minutes to the starting point. From Sai Kung, catch bus 94 (96R on Sundays and public holidays) or take the Hoi Ha or Lady Maclehose Village minibuses (no.7 and 9) and do the same.

Temple of 10,000 Buddhas, Sha Tin This is one of the quirkiest and most interesting monasteries in the territory, not least because it contains the embalmed body of its founder, Revered Yuet Kai, in the lotus position, covered in gold leaf in a glass case. There are five temples, containing about 13,000 gold ceramic Buddha statues, each with a different pose and expression.

How to get there: The temple is signposted from Sha Tin Station, up 431 steps lined with 500 life-sized statues.

Sheung Luk stream Leaping off an eight-metre cliff into a deep, cool pool fed by a pristine waterfall in Sheung Luk stream is a Sai Kung rite of passage. It’s not for the very young or faint-hearted; just scrambling up the cliff requires a head for heights and jumping off is a mind-spinning leap of faith. Leap, swim, picnic, make memories.

How to get there: Take the MacLehose Trail to the north end of Sai Wan beach, then follow the pretty stream uphill for 10 minutes to a series of pools – the upper pool is the deepest. Wear water shoes, those rocks are sharp.

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Yau Ley, High Island An outing to Yau Ley Seafood Restaurant is always a great day out. The supercasual restaurant serves up delicious Chinese fare and kids can amuse themselves on the small beach and jumping off the jetty.

How to get there: If you’re not fortunate enough to own a boat, hire a sampan from Sai Kung pier or walk 30 mins downhill from Sai Kung Man Yee Road, MacLehose Trail Stage 1.

outdoors PLAYGROUNDS

DIVING

KAYAKING AND WATERSPORTS

Po Hong Park Introduce your offspring to this playground paradise in Po Lam and you’ll be struggling to get them out.

It has at least five linked playground areas with all sorts of swings, slides and climbing frames so kids from two upwards can easily run from one to another and play to their hearts’ content.

Benches, shade and grass make it good for picnics. Tseung Kwan O swimming pool opposite makes a perfect coolingdown option. Sheung Ning Road, Po Lam, www.lcsd.gov.hk.

Splash HK Local dive operator Splash HK offers a full range of PADI courses from Bubble Maker for younger kids to Assistant Instructor for pre-professional divers.

Children aged 10 and up can take the first steps to becoming a certified open water diver by taking the Junior course, which entails five sessions in a swimming pool and four open-water dives in the sea in and around Sai Kung. Contact Darren Gilkison on 9047 9603, info@splashhk. com, www.splashhk.com.

Blue Sky Water Sports Club Stick your oar in with Blue Sky Water Sports Club, which rents kayaks from Sha Ha beach, as well as stand-up paddleboards. The club also offers private coaching for novices as well as transparent kayaks for seeing exactly what is swimming beneath you. Contact Bryan Ng at 2791 0806, 9468 1684, www.skswc.com.

Sai Kung square This is not the best equipped playground but is certainly one of the most sociable.

There are always oodles of children around and yours are likely to run into schoolfriends or make new ones. The adjacent basketball court is great for older children to practise their hoops, ripsticking or pennyboarding skills. And parents can enjoy a moment of respite with a coffee at any one of the nearby cafés and restaurants.

Chong Hing Water Sports Centre Spectacularly located at High Island’s West Sea Cofferdam, a few minutes by taxi from the country park barrier, the government-run Chong Hing Water Sports Centre is loaded with equipment at rock-bottom prices for a day out on the water. As well as kayaks, it offers sailing, windsurfing,

adventure

escape

Picture: Hannah Grogan

Sai Kung Waterfront If you’ve exhausted the sights and sounds of Sai Kung’s waterfront, small children might like to put the playground next to the tennis courts to the test. Swings, slides and a couple of climbing frames are sure to keep them gainfully occupied.

explore

Sai Kung Clearwater Bay H.K Geo-Park Kayaking Trips Stand Up Paddle Boarding lessons and equipment sales

www.kayak-and-hike.com 32

Tel - 93005197

surf canoes and even pedalos, and there’s a campsite for those who’d like to make a weekend of it. Reservations essential; closed Thursdays. Entry is $7 and kayak rental is $16 an hour on weekdays and $24 at weekends. For details, call 2792 6810 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk.

Fred the Boatman Hoi Ha resident “Fred the Boatman” rents kayaks for $100-$250 at one of the few centres with showers. He can be a bit elusive, so we recommend booking ahead. 2328 2169, 9164 5756, or 2328 2181.

Jockey Club Sai Kung Outdoor Training Camp Located on Tai Mong Tsai Road, this centre offers a host of watersports including bamboo rafting, canoeing, sailing and snorkelling. You need a group of at least eight people to use the facility and reservations are essential.

Entry is $20 a head, and kayak rental is $40 a day, with private coaching available. It even has a canteen, selling meals for just $29. For details, call 2792 2727 or visit www.hkfyg.org.hk.

just begging to be launched. Rental costs $50 an hour; basic windsurfing training is offered to nine-year-olds and older. 2792 5605, hkg528@hotmail.com, www.kayaks.com.hk.

Kayak and Hike Turn your paddling trip into a real adventure with Kayak and Hike. A packed programme starts with a speedboat or junk trip deep into the Geopark, where the kayaks are unpacked for a guided tour of the caves and sea cliffs formed from volcanic ash more than 140 million years ago.

Run by Clearwater Bay resident Paul Etherington, the day trip costs $700 a head. 9300 5197, paul@kayak-andhike.com, www.kayak-and-hike.com.

OTHER Outward Bound Hong Kong Outward Bound’s challenging programmes include a wide range of activities for older kids, such as kayaking, camping, hiking and highly popular jetty jumping. Courses run for five or eight days, with accommodation at its Sai Kung base. Details at 2791 3228, info@outwardbound.org.hk, www.outwardbound.org.

Windsurfing Centre Conveniently located at Sha Ha beach at the end of Sai Kung waterfront, the Windsurfing Centre HK, run by Eddy Tam, has kayaks and windsurfing boards

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outdoors

PUBLIC POOLS Cheap, accessible and popular, public pools are open in three sessions from 6.30am-10pm; closed noon-1pm and 5pm-6pm, and one day a week for cleaning from 10am-5pm. Adults $17, children $8; free for the under-threes, www.lcsd.gov.hk.

Sai Kung Swimming Pool With an enviable location on the waterfront promenade, Sai Kung’s public pool has a gorgeous view from the firstfloor sundeck (get there early to grab a lounger and umbrella). As well as a 50m lap pool, with separate lanes for serious swimmers, it has a 25m training pool, free-form toddlers’ pool with playground, palm-tree fountains, children’s slide and water games, and two swirly-whirly slides for bigger kids. Closed Wednesdays. Wai Man Road, Sai Kung, 2792 7285.

Kwun Tong Pool This new swimming pool complex boasts all sorts of innovative energysaving designs, including a solarpowered hot-water system and rainwater recycling for landscape irrigation. It’s an all-weather complex with both indoor and outdoor 50m lap 34

pools, plus outdoor and indoor 25m training pools, a spectator stand and sunbathing area. Closed Wednesdays.

2 Tsui Ping Road, Kwun Tong, 2717 9022.

Tseung Kwan O Swimming Pool A whopping eight pools make this a fun venue for the whole family, with a 50m lap pool, large free-form children’s pool with all sorts of slides and play equipment, and several training pools for different abilities. Plus it’s open yearround. Closed Mondays. 9 Wan Lung Road, Tseung Kwan O, 2706 7646.

Jordan Valley Swimming Pool Like something from a child’s imagination, this 1.7-hectare swimming complex is devoted to kids. One giant playground, it features slides, water games, water guns, a training pool and a leisure pool for the little ones. Closed Tuesdays. Choi Ha Road, Ngau Tau Kok, 2305 5919.

HOTEL POOLS Regal Riverside Hotel Dive into luxury at the Regal Riverside Hotel swimming pool in Sha Tin. You can order snacks from L’Eau restaurant from your poolside lounger, soak up some rays, swim laps or relax in the jacuzzi. Open daily 7am to 9pm. $180 a person for non-guests. 34-36 Tai Chung Kiu Road, Sha Tin, 2649 7878, www.regalriverside.com.

The W Hotel The gorgeous rooftop infinity pool on the 76th floor of the W Hotel is one of the highest in the world, and has a jacuzzi, cocktails and yummy food available poolside. It’s only open to non-guests on Sundays, 3pm-8pm; $280 a person.

1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, 3717 2222, www.w-hongkong.com.

Hyatt Regency, Sha Tin The large outdoor pool is open yearround, with loungers, cocktails and snacks available poolside, as well as a children’s pool, playground and whirlpool.

Day passes are $400 ($200 for children) for friends of guests only. 18 Chak Cheung Street, Sha Tin, 3723 1234, www.hongkong.shatin.hyatt.com.

outdoors CAMPING

Picture: Tara Poky/www.goout.hk

Happy campers Pack your bags and embrace your wild side with a camping trip to some of Hong Kong’s most beautiful sites.

Where to camp There are 41 official campsites in Hong Kong, 16 of which are in Sai Kung, including Tai Long Wan beaches and Shui Long Wo. Within the country parks camping is permitted only at designated sites; pitching a tent elsewhere is not allowed. For a full list, maps and how to get there, visit the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department website, www.afcd.gov.hk.

Glamping “Glamping”, or glamorous camping – permanent tents with wood floors, ensuites and four-poster beds – has yet to make it to Sai Kung. For information on where to get camping gear, visit

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www.goout.hk or Sai Kung’s own Shun Kee City Houseware (Harrods). We recommend these additions: Rattan beach mat, laid outside tent and swept regularly.

Bucket of water for washing feet before entering tent.

Dustpan and brush, for sweeping up errant grass or sand.

Battery-operated fan, for cooling.

Small dog – security system.

Almost glamping sites Island Club Yes, we know this is accessible only by ferry from Cheung Chau but once you get your head round the boats, trains and automobiles you’ll need to get there, you won’t fail to have a fun-filled weekend at Island Club on Lantau.

The private inn and campsite offers activities galore including kayaking, windsurfing, banana boating, snorkelling, rock climbing, surfing and wakeboarding. While a bit of a rough

diamond compared with other glamping options, it is reasonably priced.

A day trip including lockers, loungers, umbrellas and a barbecue buffet costs $350 to $450 a person plus an extra $30 to $60 for unlimited drinks, and $200 if you choose to stay overnight for a true adventure.

G/F, 23 Tai Long Village, Lantau Island, 2989 2315, www.islandclub.hk.

Long Coast Seasports Whether you’ve got a princess, who doesn’t want to rough it, or an adventure hound who does, camping options abound at Long Coast Seasports on Lantau, whose “front yard” is one of Hong Kong’s longest stretches of sand, Cheung Sha Beach.

You can rent a basic four- or sixperson tent in the private beachfront campsite or sleep in style in one of the three-metre-high Safari tents, boasting deluxe camping mattresses, furniture and even air conditioning. If you’d

rather have a proper roof over your head, there are four guest rooms to choose from with private showers, air conditioning and wireless broadband access.

It’s not all about camping. There are stacks of watersports to choose from, with professional support if you need it, as well as beach volleyball ($250 to rent a net for a day) and other beach equipment such as deckchairs ($50 each), parasols ($50 each) and ice boxes to chill those beers ($50 each, with one ice pack).

You can also purchase activity/ camping vouchers for $540 to $720 for two people (depending on day and season), which includes use of kayaks, bodyboards, skimboards, and overnight facilties.

If you’d rather just camp, it costs $170 to $200 to rent a tent on the beach and $200-$250 for a Safari tent.

29 Lower Cheung Sha Beach, Lantau, 8104 6222, www.longcoast.hk.

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37 10/9/13 6:38 PM

outdoors Safari Bush Campers These semi-permanent canvas tents look as though they come straight from an Out Of Africa movie set and are about as stylish as camping in Hong Kong gets. The 10 Safari Bush Campers each sleep six people and come complete with double airbeds, proper bedding, tables and chairs, air coolers and mozzie screens on doors and windows ($1,200 a night at weekends). They are set in a 40,000-square-foot herb garden; showers and washroom facilities are available.

For dinner, the Palm Beach Cafe offers light refreshments and the beachside Stoep restaurant (2980 2699) serves hearty South African dishes and barbecued meats to satisfy even the hungriest campers. Palm Beach, Cheung Sha, Lantau, 2980 4822, info@palmbeach.com.hk, www.palmbeach.com.hk.

Teepee Village Grab your headdresses, pack your warpaint and get ready for action native American style. Owned

and operated by the people who run the Safari Bush Campers, Teepee Village on Palm Beach has eight handpainted teepees of various sizes, erected on an 18,000-square-foot lawn. Weekend rentals start from $850 a night for a four-person teepee with sleeping bags and mats; a 26-footdiameter teepee, which can sleep up to 20 people, is $3,200 a night.

Add-ons include camping lamps ($20 each), mosquito nets ($50 each) and air coolers ($100).

The adjacent Palm Beach Watersports Centre offers all sorts of watersports including kiteboarding, surfing and windsurfing. Palm Beach, Cheung Sha, Lantau, 2980 4822, info@palmbeach.com.hk, www.palmbeach.com.hk.

Treasure Island Can’t be bothered to lug your own camping equipment to a remote site? Fed up of fiddling around with tent pegs? Treasure Island’s private campsite behind Ooh La La restaurant (which is a fantastic alternative to bringing and cooking your own food;

Picture: Klas/www.goout.hk

Picture: Klas/www.goout.hk 38

2984 8710), not only has ready-pitched tents for hire but changing rooms and showers too. A four-person tent costs $700 a night including sleeping bags, mat, coolers, charcoal, dishes and cooking equipment. Cycling and kayaking can also be arranged. Book in advance to avoid disappointment – and an uncomfortable night under the stars. Pui O Beach, Lantau, 2546 3543, inquiries@treasureislandhk.com, www.treasureislandhk.com Tsim Bet Tsui Organic Farm Not everyone was born to be a beach babe. If you dread the thought of sand in your sleeping bag, you can still experience the great outdoors at Tsim Bet Tsui Organic Farm in Yuen Long.

During autumn and winter, when the weather gets cooler, the farm offers camping in authentic Mongolian gers, costing from $800 for a two- to fiveperson ger and $1,500 for an eight- to 10-person ger. With spectacular views of the Mai Po Marshes, the farm also has a petting zoo, a miniature train and barbecue pits. Lau Fau Shan, Yuen Long, 2472 6962.

THE READING ROOM ENGLISH, DRAMA AND BOOKS The English Centre All your language requirements for SAT , IB, GCSE, IGCSE, TOFEL, ILETS, BULATS,Cambridge, Trinity, Native English Speaking Teachers

Package deals for groups and 1-1 STAGE RIGHT! Youth Theatre Dive into the world of theatre developing confidence and self-expression.

After school, weekend and holiday programmes and courses.

Well stocked Children’s Book Shop new and secondhand books

21 Hoi Pong Street, Sai Kung 9199 5900 www.thereadingroom.com.hk english@thereadingroom.com.hk

online

All booked up Make friends with local Facebook pages. We like.

Sai Kung Magazine Our very own Facebook page, keeping you up to date with the latest news and events around town. Keep an eye out for local information, interviews, activities, special offers and more.

Bayside Villagers A great source of information about Clearwater Bay, with posts about issues, events, secondhand goods for sale and heads-up notifications about everything from roadworks to lost dogs.

Sai Kung Helpers A closed Facebook group where members can share information relating to employing a domestic helper locally.

SaiKungKids A good source of information about child-oriented local businesses, activities, tutoring and summer camps.

Members include Jumpstart, RugBees, Monster Tennis, RedWizard, Echoes of Erin Irish Dancing and Bricks4Kidz.

Sai Kung Marketplace If you have household items to sell – or are looking for secondhand items to buy – this is the place. Everything from sofas to soda machines pops up on this fast-moving page. If you see something you like, get in quick.

Sai Kung Mummies A forum for local mothers to share advice and information, advertise products and services, sell child-related items, and anything else with a family focus.

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SaiKungSquare A group for local businesses and organisations to offer real-time promotions and information to Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay residents. Members currently include Steamers, Piccolo’s, Tala’s, Swiss Art Studio, Anastassia’s Art House, and more.

Hardly Worn It – Sai Kung Edition Who hasn’t got something in their wardrobe that they never wear?

This is the page for posting all your unwanted clothes, shoes and accessories and for picking up a bargain or two in return. After all, one man’s trash is another’s treasure. Sizes and measurements in the description are a must but no fakes please (unless clearly stated). Baby’s and kids clothes also welcome.

Sai Kung Real Estate For those looking to buy, sell or rent a home in Sai Kung or Clearwater Bay, this is a good place to start.

Saikung.com Missed Sai Kung Magazine? Fear not.

You can now subscribe online and get the magazine delivered directly to your door for $10 a month. Back issues are also available. The last few copies of stunning aerial photography book Above Sai Kung Clearwater Bay by Graham Uden are also available for purchase.

Get ‘em while you can.

www.arthouse-hk.com Happy Valley Art Studio Shop 2, 1A Wong Nai Chung Rd. Happy Valley, HK Tel: 2838 0040 Fax: 2838 0070 happyvalley@arthouse-hk.com

Repulse Bay Art Studio Shop G107B, The Repulse Bay 109 Repulse Bay Road, HK Tel: 2812 6465 Fax: 2812 6466 repulsebay@arthouse-hk.com

Sai Kung Art Studio G/F, 9 Hoi Pong Street Sai Kung Town, NT Tel: 2719 5533 Fax: 2719 5599 saikung@arthouse-hk.com

Stanley Plaza Art Studio Shop 208, Stanley Plaza Stanley, HK Tel: 2104 3303 Fax: 2104 3383 stanleyplaza@arthouse-hk.com

We run art classes also at CWBS, IMS & HKUST Contact us at Tel: 2719 5533

parties

It’s my party

Picture: Panda Pottery

Call in the professionals and let the good times roll.

ACCESSORIES AND SUPPLIES Babushka What child doesn’t love a toyshop? But one that can equally charm adults is a rare find in Hong Kong. Independent toyshop Babushka ticks both boxes with everything from gorgeous wooden and hand-knitted toys and collections of the prettiest children’s clothes to party favours, wall stickers and cool science kits.

Everything in the airy, whitewashed shop is beautifully displayed, transforming the usual chore of buying children’s gifts at more commercial toy stores into a rather wonderful experience. Ranges of beachwear, accessories and homeware will make mums even happier. Shop 12, 66 Yi Chun Street (at the back of the East Garden Plaza building, the large orange building that houses Steamers), Sai Kung, 2791 9070, www.babushka.com.hk.

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Bumps to Babes Presents? Check. Party bags? Check.

Birthday cards? Check. Wrapping paper? Check. For a one-stop shop for everything you need to make a birthday go with a bang, get thee to Bumps to Babes. Well-known in Hong Kong for being the best-stocked baby shop in town, it also offers a wealth of options for baby-shower gifts as well as all those childhood essentials. 21/F, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau, 2552 5000, www.bumpstobabes.com.

Dymocks More than just a bookshop, Dymocks sells a selection of themed party supplies (think hats, invitation cards, paper plates and napkins) plus gifts and gift wrap, birthday cards and ribbon.

7 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, 2791 9110, dymockssk@biznetvigator.com.

Eezy Peezy Parties Eezy Peezy Parties is a complete party-planning solution for frazzled mothers. The service delivers e-vites,

manages the replies, oversees the gift list, delivers presents wrapped and labelled to the party, supplies party decorations and tableware, and even sends thank-you e-cards. Christine Smith-Mann, the brains behind the service, has also created a list of entertainers, cake makers, venues, equipment suppliers (think bouncy castles) and interior designers to ensure your child’s party is perfect. www.eezypeezyparties.com.

HK Photobox No longer just for passport photos, HK Photobox offers the perfect teen party accessory. Customise your own background, colours or themes, and get snap happy.

Unlimited photos for the time booked will be instantly printed and/or emailed to guests and uploaded to social networking sites while the host receives a USB of all the photographic antics. www.hkphotobox.com.

Jumpin’ 4 Joy Jumpin’ 4 Joy has bouncy castles, activity centres and slides that focus on younger party goers. Our favourite: the Monster Truck – with hose. It’s better wetter. Prices include delivery, set up and three hours of jumping time. Call Kieron 9467 4545, www.jumpin-4-joy.tk.

CAKES Ali Oli Ali Oli offers a range of speciality cakes in flavours such as vanilla, carrot, banana, chocolate, Victoria sponge and even gluten-free alternatives in a range of designs.

Both large and small cupcakes are available, and the shop takes orders for as few as six cakes. You will need to order at least three days in advance. 11 Sha Tsui Path, Sai Kung, orders@alioli.com.hk.

The Cake Affair Enthusiastic baker Elize Devonport of The Cake Affair specialises in bespoke homemade occasion cakes and cupcakes that taste as good as they look. The sky’s the limit in terms of themes. Cakes cost from $500 and cupcakes from $20 each (minimum order of 20). All orders need to be placed at least 10 days in advance. 9752 2535, markeliz@netvigator.com.

The Cake Lady The Cake Lady, aka Louisa Barton, is a one-time professional cook with a passion for baking. She can bake any flavour you fancy, from rainbow layer cakes to red velvet or good old chocolate in shapes from dragon boats to ski slopes. The cakes are baked fresh on the morning of the event using bestquality ingredients. louisathecakelady@ gmail.com.

The Sugar Factory The Sugar Factory is a Sai Kung-based, home-baking business that delivers imaginative cookies and cakes. 9729 4777, info@thesugarfactory.net.

additional $80 for a gun, 2,000 BB pellets, a tactical vest and headmasks. 5/F, Hang Seng Industrial Building, 187 Wai Yip Street, Kwun Tong, 2286 0380, info@cqb-plaza.com, www.cqb-plaza.com.

Drum Jam Led by the charismatic Kumi Masunaga, Drum Jam has been making people happy through rhythm for more than 10 years. Its Kidz Jam sessions are packed with fun rhythm games and songs for children of all ages and stages of development and are ideal to get the party spirit flowing. 9750 4212, info@ drum-jam.com, www.drum-jam.com.

ENTERTAINMENT Andy Comic The 2006 Macau Close-Up Magic champion, Andy Comic, knows how to keep a roomful of kids laughing. He offers a high-energy, action-packed show featuring magic and juggling, unicycling and stilt walking and stacks of jokes.

9019 7196, andycomic@gmail.com, www.andycomic.com.

CQP Plaza Set up by a group of war games enthusiasts, CQP Plaza is boy heaven. An indoor area wiith 20,000 square feet of runningaround space, it is divided into two combat zones: GreenHouse, where plants provide sniper cover, and WareHouse, where different sized boxes, screens and barrels are perfect hotspots for hiding and firing. A minimum of 15 people is required for a team and if you want exclusive use of the whole centre, you’ll need at least 30 recruits. Costs are from $160$190 per head, depending on the session time and day, plus an

Goatee Toni Redefine “wild party” with the help of animal lover Goatee Toni and his team.

Get a crash course in handling reptiles, face your fear of spiders or for the more faint of heart, gush over adorable baby hedgehogs among other wildlife. For true party animals. info@goateetoni.com, www.goateetoni.com.

Party plan If clowns and castles don’t cut the mustard, maybe a sports party will.

Many of the companies featured in our After-School Activities section are happy to organise private parties at your venue.

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Gulf War Area Mothers might loathe them but boys love war games. All that dressing up in camouflage, running, hiding and having a pop at your mates. At Gulf War Area, “combatants” are armed with protective clothing, a mask and an airsoft gun with 2,000 BB pellets – and then it’s every man for himself. At the time of going to press, Gulf War Area was in the process of relocating from Sai Kung to Tin Fu Tsai Village, Tuen Mun, and is scheduled to open there in November.

2410 8166, apply@gulfwargame.com, www.gulfwargame.com.

Jungle Party Jungle Jim and Jane will stage a puppet show, play interactive games, get guests performing the Jungle Jim Boogie dance and even bring along animal costumes for photos. More than just a show, Jungle Party gets all kids involved in the action and will make the birthday boy or girl feel extra special. 3188 8174, birthdays@chunkyonion.com, www.chunkyonion.com.

Paintball HQ There’s something rather satisfying about scoring a direct hit and splattering your friends with paint. At Paintball HQ, kids are kitted out in protective clothing and face shields, and then let loose in a warehouse-style maze of walls, “houses” and sniper towers that are perfect for sniping and keeping undercover. You can bring your own food, drink and cake or the company are happy to order in pizza for you that can be served at half time in a party room. $250 per person

covers all equipment, including a gun and 100 paintballs for six games over two hours. Minimum age to play is eight; minimum number of players in a group is 10. G/F Po Lung Centre, 11 Wang Chiu Road, Kowloon Bay, 3106 0220; www.paintballhq.com.hk.

Panda Pottery If you want a fun, absorbing and hassle-free party, look no further than Panda Pottery. Armed with paints and pre-selected items of pottery, the team will come to you and get everyone creating a masterpiece or two. There are more than 30 pieces to choose from including plates, bowls, cups, photo frames and figures, and guests can paint away to their hearts’ content, using non-toxic paints. The pottery is fired and glazed after the event and delivered back to the party

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host a fortnight later. A minimum spend of $2,000 is required. Other options include Hand & Footprint private parties for a minimum of six friends and their little ones to create a keepsake of a tiny hand or footprint on a plate.

(Minimum spend is $350 per baby/child.) Panda Pottery also hosts public days throughout Hong Kong; just turn up and paint away. 6439 2387 or 6041 9613, info@pandapottery.com, www.pandapottery.com.

Rachael’s Fun House Sai Kung’s leading Disco Diva, Rachael Footer brings parties to life with a host of characters, games, dance routines, face-painting, puppets and masses of energy. She also runs weekly disco dance lessons and regular student shows.

2705 9556, info@funhousehk.com, www.funhousehk.com.

Rumple and Friends With a background in children’s education and theatre, Rumple and Friends offers performances from Rumple the Clown as well as magic, circus skills, puppet shows, balloon twisting and face painting. Shows can be tailormade to the theme of the party including princess parties. www.rumpleandfriends.com.

Sabai Day Spa The popular Sai Kung spa has added Pretty Princess Nails parties to its services. The package for girls aged seven to 12 includes manicures and pedicures, face painting and tattoos, flowers for the birthday girl and party bags for her guests. Food and juice are included but you must provide the cake. Five girls minimum; $450 a child but the birthday girl goes free. 2/F, 10D Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 2791 2259, sabaidspa@sabaidayspa.com, www.sabaidayspa.com.

The Cheese Brothers The Cheese Brothers are a surefire way of making any party a hit and will have a roomful of kids (and possibly adults) screaming with laughter in no time. Jan, Zani, Ben and Andy work individually or come as a team for private parties and school events, and are well-known for their brilliant juggling, cheesy jokes, interactive games and plate spinning among other antics. Perfect for four- to seven-year-olds, the Cheese Brothers are hugely popular in Hong Kong so super-early booking is recommended. 9612 0502, info@kidsparty.hk, www.kids-party.hk.

Professional Birthday Party Entertainment

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eating

Kids’ tables Pull up a high chair.

Beach Cuisine So it’s the weekend, and you fancy a restorative dim sum brunch but the kids would rather build sandcastles. Solution: Beach Cuisine. Its row of alfresco tables under white pagodas overlooks Sha Ha Beach. Watch the children play in the sand while you linger over tasty har gow, prawn and vegetable dumplings, cheung fan and fried lotus cakes.

Kayaks, windsurfers and even swan-shaped pedaloes can be hired on the beach and, at low tide, the flat sand is perfect for flying a kite or a game of family footie. Tai Mong Tsai Road, Sha Ha, Sai Kung, 2792 4990, skbeach.com.hk.

Chip In The heart-shaped potato on the logo for Sai Kung chippy Chip In indicates this is more than a humble fish ’n’ chips joint. Opened in November 2012, the British-style takeaway was an instant hit and won best new restaurant in the Readers’ Choice Awards 2013. Its crispy fat chips and crunchy fried fish made from ling cod and New Zealand potatoes are firm favourites with all age, and we love the little touches such as the handmade postbox-shaped trays. Other popular menu items include Marmite and cheese sandwiches and Hong Kong’s only deep-fried Oreo. 9 King Man Street, Sai Kung, 9761 5091.

Classified A quick cup of java before you head out on a hike or a refreshing afternoon tea when your excursion is over – whatever you need, embrace Sai Kung’s burgeoning café culture at Classified. As well as filling brunch and lunch menus, there are all sorts of yummy cakes and muffins that make a perfect pick-me-up if little stomachs are feeling empty. Several outdoor tables plus a huge one just inside the shop-front, which seats a family or two, means kids can run off their sugar high in the square and still be watched without their parents having to move a muscle.

G/F, 5 Sha Tsui Path, Sai Kung, 2529 3454.

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Fat Kee Store This quirky little dai pai dong in Sai Kung Country Park may seem an odd choice to include in our kid-friendly restaurant category, but bear with us. Close to Pak Tam Chung, it sits at the head of the Sheung Yiu Family Walk overlooking a small creek and footbridge. Work up an appetite paddling in the river and visiting the Sheung Yiu Folk Museum 10 minutes’ walk away. Hong Kong-style noodle soup, rice dishes, hot tea and cold drinks will fill any gaps. Pak Tam Chung, Sai Kung Country Park.

Jaspas Few restaurants in Hong Kong are as family-friendly as this one. That manager Sing has six children of his own possibly helps to explain why kids feel so comfortable here. And then there are the pots of crayons, paper tablecloths to draw on and a children’s menu, complete with mum-pleasing healthy choices. The selection of more grown-up fare is vast and delicious too. Best of all, as far as kids are concerned, is the restaurant’s location at the heart of Sai Kung’s main square with its acreage of running-around space and playground full of potential buddies. For laid-back fun, it’s got to be Jaspas.

13 Sha Tsui Path, Sai Kung, 2792 6388.

La Piazza While not exactly on the picturesque streets of Florence, La Piazza is Hang Hau’s answer to alfresco dining Italian-style.

Situated near popular steak restaurant Lardos, it offers thin, crispy pizzas, ample portions of Italian staples such as spaghetti Bolognaise and a daily selection of meat and fish dishes and puddings. The restaurant doesn’t have a kids’ menu but is happy to split main meals into smaller servings for children to share.

Create your own set by choosing any appetiser, pasta and pizza from the menu, and La Piazza will throw in a free portion of fresh garlic bread and two cans of any soft drink.

Who needs Florence?

G/F, 24 Hang Hau Village, 2719 5688.

Sai Square It’s all about location at Sai Square. Situated on the Sai Kung seafront, it is a minute’s walk from a playground, the public squash and tennis courts and Sai Kung swimming pool. Sai Square has child-friendly Western and Asian dishes, including spring rolls and excellent fries and a large dining space with plenty of tables, a sofa-filled lounge and an alfresco vibe. There’s lots to keep children entertained, from the endless parade of people and pooches to the open spaces for rowdy games of tag. 1 Wai Man Road, Sai Kung, 2792 8900, www.saisquare.com.hk.

Paisano’s This summer, Paisano’s super-sized its original Sai Kung restaurant with lots of extra tables. Its New York-style giant pizza slices will satisfy even rumbliest of tummies, but if you’re really hungry, try the 24-inch pizza challenge: two people can eat for free if they can polish it off in 20 minutes.

27 Chan Man Street, Sai Kung, 2791 4445.

Seafood Island Of all the Cantonese seafood restaurants in the area, this one gets our child-friendly vote because of its location in car-free Po Toi O. It has a small square, plenty of cats, fishtanks and all manner of curious dried seafood. The menu features children’s favourites such as salt-and-pepper-squid, fried rice, steamed broccoli and piles of steamed prawns.

7 Po Toi O, Clearwater Bay, 2719 5730.

Sha Tin 18 When you’ve exhausted all your pedal power on the waterfront cycle paths in front of the Sha Tin Science Park, delicious dim sum at the Hyatt Regency Sha Tin will see you right. Posher than your average dim sum joint and with an alfresco terrace, Sha Tin 18 has standout dim sum and perfect Peking duck.

Hyatt Regency, 18 Chak Cheung Street, Sha Tin, 3723 1234.

Steamers Having lost a bit of its former blokeishness, Steamers is now a great place for family fodder, especially if you can score a table on the terrace. Lots of nibbles and platters to choose from, plus yummy pizzas, curries and Sunday roasts. With sport shown on the indoor screens and water bowls for the dog, what’s not to love? Watch this space for Steamers’ new venue, Zest. 66 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 2792 6991, www.steamerssaikung.com.

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School days When it comes to choosing the right school, do your homework.

Bright Buttons Clearwater Bay’s early-education centre offers a number of playgroup sessions for young children and their parents.

Bright Bambinos is a 90-minute social group offering engaging activities for babies and toddlers, and a chance for mums to meet. The hour-long Bright Babies sessions for little ones aged three months to one year and their parents include fun activities designed to develop skills. Bright Beginners are one-hour classes for parents and children aged one to two years that follow the British Early Years Foundation Stage and include pre-reading skills, concepts and themes, music and free play, with each child following an individual learning plan. Bright Buttons builds on this curriculum with 90-minute classes for two- to three-year-olds. Suite 9, Dairy Farm Shopping Centre, 8 Razor Hill Road, Clearwater Bay, admin@ brightbuttonsltd.com, www.brightbuttonsltd.com.

FunZone Formerly known as Bumble Tots, this 5,000-square-foot, indoor playground for the under-10s was set up by a local mother frustrated by rainy days and Mondays. Stacked to the bug-decorated rafters with fun activities, it encourages active kids to bounce off the walls with slides, tubes, ball pools, trampolines, gliders and balancing beams. There are also quieter activity areas for drawing, an area for the under-twos, and a café serving a decent cup of joe to keep parents happy. It’s designed as a drop-in centre, with a payonce-play-all-day policy and the main rule seems to involve wearing socks. Entry for a child accompanied by one adult costs $80 (cheaper during happy hours), with monthly passes available. An English playgroup for children aged 18 months to 30 months is held at FunZone on Tuesday mornings, 10am-11am and 11.15am-12.15pm, including free play after the session. A party room is available for 10-30 children (plus 10-30 adults). 1/F, The Waterside Mall, 15 On Chun Street, Ma On Shan, 2631 4001.

Jungle Playroom This drop-in jungle-themed playroom in Sai Kung Mid-Levels is open to children from the age of six months to eight years.

It offers a fun, comfortable environment with large indoor and outdoor play areas that allow children to explore, socialise 48

Picture: Australian International School

PLAYGROUPS

and share during free-play sessions – and a chance for their parents to make friends too. Facilities include a mini rollercoaster, rocking horses, reading corner, play-dough and plenty of outdoor toys. Activities are conducted in English and the playroom is open for casual drop-in sessions on Mondays to Thursdays, 1.30pm-5pm, and Fridays from 9am-noon. It is also available for party hire for $1,000 for three hours. 3 Tan Cheung Village (near Pepperoni’s), Sai Kung, 2553 3825, admin@jungleplayroom.com, www.jungleplayroom.com.

Sai Kung Playhouse Get your babies and toddlers down to the Sai Kung Playhouse for as much fun as under-fours can have. Having taken over the space from Sweetpeas, the new owners are placing an emphasis on free play and have added stacks more toys.

Activities such as painting and play-dough mean small children can indulge their creative sides without anyone worrying about the side effects on furniture and walls. There are separate morning and afternoon sessions; children can either be dropped off unaccompanied or with an adult in tow. Mother and baby groups also available. 11 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, 2792 5888, www.thesaikungplayhouse.com.

programme is best for your child is to investigate all your options, visit schools, observe classes and talk to friends with older children.

Choosing a preschool programme Montessori Montessori combines individualised attention with a carefully structured environment. Children work freely in mixed age groups. Children’s innate passion for learning is encouraged by giving them opportunities to engage in spontaneous, purposeful activities with the guidance of a trained Montessori teacher. Through their work, children develop concentration and joyful self-discipline. Children progress at their own pace.

Traditional This is a more structured learning environment for children of similar ages. Teachers generally plan the daily activities, and children mostly are actively involved in group work, although they do have opportunities to work alone. The idea is to help children adapt to a classroom setting, and prepare them for a more formal learning environment at primary level.

Waldorf Steiner This programme has a structure built around routine and rhythm. Children work in mixed age groups. The classroom environment is homelike, includes natural materials, and provides examples of productive work in which children can take part. Lots of outdoor activities are offered, accompanied by songs, poems and games. ITS School Placements

Picture: Hong Kong Academy

SKIP (Sai Kung International Pre-School) SKIP’s playgroups – Caterpillars (1.30pm-3.30pm, Tuesday or Thursday) and Dragonflies (3.45pm-5.15pm, Tuesday or Thursday) – are designed for children aged one to three years. The groups provide a playful and stimulating environment where children can interact with their peers for the first time. Activities include indoor and outdoor play, art and crafts, singing, dancing and music. Children must be accompanied by an adult and, in Dragonflies, the accompanying adult must be a parent rather than a domestic helper as the session aims to provide an opportunity for like-minded parents to meet.

In addition to its well-equipped classroom, colourfully decorated with the children’s work, SKIP offers children the opportunity to have fun outdoors in its spacious playground.

Protected by sunshades, the playground features an arts and crafts area, a large sandpit and a grassy garden complete with playhouses, swings and toys galore.

Its six-week “Summer Paint ‘n’ Play” programme, which is open to all children in the Sai Kung community in July and August, is practically an institution. 259 Che Keng Tuk Road (near Lion’s Nature & Education Centre), The best way to Sai Kung, 2791 7354, determine what preschool www.skip.edu.hk.

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education KINDERGARTENS Anfield International School Anfield International School consists of three campuses: two kindergartens (K1-K3) in Hung Hom and Kowloon Tong and a primary school (up to Year Four) in Tai Wai, Sha Tin. Key kindergarten staff and all primary teachers are recruited in Britain and follow the Early Years Foundations Stage and the English National Curriculum. Anfield also offers a Kiddies’ Club with Toddlerobics for babies, a playgroup (18 months to three years) and Pre-Kindergarten classes for those aged two years and four months. Free play, dancing, arts and crafts, cooking and Mandarin are just some of the activities on offer. School bus service available. www.anfield.com.hk.

ESF Abacus ESF Abacus offers an English-language education for children aged two years and nine months to five years and educates children from a diversity of backgrounds. It follows an inquirybased curriculum where children learn through exploration, hands-on experiences and play-based activities, conducted in the classroom as well as outdoors in the well-equipped playground and garden area. It operates separate morning and afternoon sessions, five days a week, with Mandarin taught daily by a native speaker. Abacus also runs a playgroup for children aged one to three years on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3.45pm-5.15pm. All children must be accompanied by an adult. (Please note: No child attending an ESF kindergarten is guaranteed an ESF Primary school or PIS interview or placement.) School bus service available.

Mang Kung Uk Village, off Clearwater Bay Road, 2719 5712, kinder@abacus.esf.org.hk, www.esf.org.hk.

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Garden House Garden House is a Waldorfinspired pre-school and playgroup and offers a flexible, child-led approach to early years’ education.

It provides children with an intermediate step between home and formal learning.

The 10,000-square-foot school includes a large covered play area with outdoor play equipment, sandpit and a garden with pets, herbs and flowers. Classroom materials are selected for simplicity and teachers guide the class through example rather than instruction. Every day, the children bake bread, set the table and share fruit at snack time as well as engaging in artistic activities, singing, story-telling and free play. There are Mandarin and English sessions in the Parent and Child programmes (one to three years); English and bilingual English/Mandarin classes are taught at Nursery (two to three years) and kindergarten levels (three to six years). Garden House has an organic farm nearby that the children visit regularly. School bus service available.

7 Silverstrand Beach Road, Clearwater Bay, 2358 1177, info@gardenhouse.hk, www.gardenhouse.hk.

German-Swiss International School The German Swiss International School recently opened a German-language kindergarten in Sai Kung. The school promotes learning through play and uses different topics from the child’s local environment to create programmes with suitable games, songs and activities. Contact Eva Ubowski on 2961 4008, or visit www.gsis.edu.hk.

Leapfrog Situated just beyond the Pak Tam Chung barrier in the Sai Kung Country Park, Leapfrog offers an idyllic environment (and some of Hong Kong’s freshest air) for children experiencing their first taste of “school”. A large outdoor playground is stocked with colourful climbing frames, slides and playhouses, bikes and trikes, and two messy play areas. Predominantly parent run, its teachers and playgroup leaders are fully qualified, English-speaking professionals who follow the British Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. The school offers three playgroups: Tadpoles (for one- to two-year-olds), Hoppers (two- to three-year-olds) and a mixed playgroup (one- to threeyear-olds) with parent or helper accompaniment. The K1 and K2 kindergarten classes are three hours long and combine free play with structured elements such as daily numeracy and phonics components, revolving around a different theme each week. Music, arts and crafts and Mandarin are also offered.

11 Pak Tam Chung Village, Sai Kung Country Park, 2791 1540, www.leapfrogkindergarten.org.

a love of learning and confidence for life Kellett Senior School, Kowloon Bay is currently accepting applications for Years 7 - 13.

Kellett School, The British International School in Hong Kong, is an English National Curriculum School.

For applications and further information visit www.kellettschool.com or email admissions@kellettschool.com

education Mills International Preschool One of the newest kindergartens on the block, Mills International Preschool offers 13,000-square-foot of funfilled facilities for K1 and K2 children. As well as English and Mandarin activities, its professional teachers engage children in all sorts of imaginative play, arts and crafts and games.

Playgroup classes are also available for kids aged one to three-and-a-half. The Spectacle, 8 Cho Yuen Street, Yau Tong, Kowloon, 2717 6336, www.millsinternational.com.hk.

SKIP With a focus on learning through play, SKIP’s kindergarten section comprises two classes, Crickets (for three- to fouryear-olds) and Geckoes (for four- to five-year olds), which follow the English Foundation Years Early Stage curriculum. Crickets runs three afternoons a week and aims to offer children a positive first experience of school and encourage separation from parents. Geckoes class runs five mornings a week and has a more ruleorientated, structured curriculum that prepares children for entry into primary school. School bus service available. 259 Che Keng Tuk Road, Sai Kung, 2791 7354, www.skip.edu.hk.

Sunshine House Built around the philosophy “for the love of children”, Sunshine House is committed to providing a vibrant and nurturing environment to give children the best start in life. The preschool caters for children aged six months to six years with the littlest ones requiring parental or helper accompaniment but able to go it alone once they hit the ripe old age of two. Sunshine House runs six morning classes a day, including English and Mandarin streams. Each session starts with interactive circle time, followed by group activities, structured and messy play and arts and crafts, and teaches the children the rudiments of mathematics, science and reading. Regular outings and extra-curricular activities such as cookery, arts and crafts are offered. The Starseeds bilingual programme, which follows the English National Curriculum, caters for children aged five to six years and helps to prepare for primary school. School bus service available. Level 7, Silverstrand Mart, 2 Silver Cape Road, Clearwater Bay, 2358 3803, clearwaterbay@sunshinehouse. com.hk, www.sunshinehouse.com.hk.

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Woodlands Sai Kung Located in Marina Cove, Woodlands Sai Kung is part of a group of 10 Hong Kong pre-schools. It follows the Early Years Foundation Stage of the English National Curriculum, with children of similar ages learning in groups actively directed by a teacher. Colourful, spacious and welcoming, the 7,000-square-foot preschool can enroll up to 250 children aged six months to five years in its various part-time and full-time classes. These include Rollers (six to 12 months), Hoglets (12 to 18 months) and Hedgehogs (mother-toddler group from18 months to two years, four months); a pre-school caters for children from 2.8 years. The classes explore a variety of themes, which change on a monthly basis, through crafts, activities, learning exercises and stories. Regular Mandarin lessons, outdoor play and snack times are also part of the daily routine. School bus service available. Shop D, G/F, Marina Cove Shopping Centre, Hiram’s Highway, Sai Kung, 2813 0290, saikung@woodlandschools.com, www.woodlandschools.com.

Wu Kai Sha Kindergarten The newest ESF kindergarten is located near Wu Kai Sha MTR station and has a wealth of resources. As well as seven airy classrooms, equipped with the latest information technology, it has a large indoor play area and an outdoor area for sand and water play, and gardening. The kindergarten caters for children aged three to five years (K1 and K2) in two sessions a day, five days a week. Level 1, 599 Sai Sha Road, Sha Tin, 2435 5291, kinder@wks.esf.org.hk.

education PRIMARY Australian International School When it opened in Kowloon Tong on Australia Day,1995 AIS had enrolled just 25 children, today it teaches more than 1,100 pupils from reception at age four to Year 12. It follows the Australian primary-school curriculum and also offers a wide range of activities including netball, volleyball, swimming in its own indoor pool, rugby, soccer and the performing arts. Priority is given to Australian passport holders and siblings but other nationalities are accepted. www.aishk.edu.hk.

Bright Sparks, Woodlands With the Primary One intake oversubscribed at ESF schools, local kindergarten Woodlands Sai Kung decided to start its own. Bright Sparks prepares children for international school systems and follows Key Stage One of the English National Curriculum. Class sizes are small, allowing children to work at their own pace. Shop D, G/F, Marina Cove Shopping Centre, Hiram’s Highway, Sai Kung, 2813 0290, saikung@ woodlandschools.com, www.woodlandschools.com.

ESF Clearwater Bay School (CWBS) The ESF primary school for the Clearwater Bay and Sai Kung catchment area currently has about 720 pupils. It follows the International Baccalaureate’s Primary Years Programme (PYP), a concept-based curriculum based on six trans-disciplinary themes, which incorporate maths, English, science, social studies, art, music, physical, personal and social education.

The curriculum is designed to foster the development of the whole child, not just in the classroom but also through other means of learning. The PYP focuses on the total growth of the developing child encompassing social, physical, emotional and cultural needs in addition to academic welfare.

Mandarin is taught daily and although on-site sports facilities are limited, use is often made of local facilities.

The various sports teams in years five and six more than hold their own in inter-school competitions. CWBS is a friendly school with a strong parent/teacher association and a huge sense of community and belonging. Clearwater Bay Road, 2358 3221, info@cwbs.edu.hk, www.cwbs.edu.hk.

Other ESF primary schools in the wider area include Sha Tin Junior School (www.sjs.edu.hk) and Kowloon Junior in Ho Man Tin (www.kjs.edu.hk).

Life at the school gate – a mum’s view I am a child of the 1960s, so you can probably make an educated stab at my age. I have never been one for spending time on my appearance and in my younger, more confident days had an arrogant disdain of women who weren’t out the door and ready for action in 10 minutes.

It’s an attitude that hasn’t changed much – although my looks certainly have.

My appearance at the school gate is sweaty in summer and in winter I turn up in whatever clothes I happen to pick out in the dark, early-morning dash. No matter what the season, I usually look somewhat maniacal owing to caffeine overload or the after-effects of the night before.

One sticky summer’s pick-up, Glam Mum made the mistake of giving me a hug, which didn’t last long as I slid damply out of her grasp. She had a struggle to hide her distaste. And I once made the mistake of arriving in day-glo trainers from an earlier workout session. Fashion Mum spotted them immediately and suffice to say spare footwear is now on hand.

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But the definitive comment on mums at the gate came from my youngest offspring, strapped into his pram one hot afternoon as we waited for his siblings. I was in my usual soggy state by the time I joined the assembled throng, where I watched Euro Mum make one of her elegant arrivals.

Euro Mum never perspires. Ever. She wears to-theminute fashion with style, ease and just the right amount of make-up. My son loves her.

On this particular day, she floated down to the gate in a handkerchief of silk that plunged to reveal perfect Euro cleavage. As she bent over Darling No.3 in his pram, filling his vision with flawless Euro decolletage, his face broke into an enormous beaming smile.

I returned to my car hot and defeated, knowing I would never be able to compete with this vision of Euro chic.

Later, telling the offspring’s father about the incident, I hoped for some reassurance that I, too, could bring a smile to a boy’s face. My husband turned to me with a nostalgic sigh. “Lucky sod,” he said.

Mother-in-the-Middle

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education Tips on preparing for exams

Forest House International Waldorf School An offshoot of Garden House Kindergarten, Forest House is a new school in the Clearwater Bay area and the first Waldorf School in Hong Kong. It currently offers P1 classes at a temporary site but is hoping to move to permanent premises once it gets the green light from the government. The nonprofit international school aims to nurture the child in all capacities – physical, emotional, intellectual, aesthetic, moral and spiritual – with subjects such as art, music, gardening and foreign languages central to the the curriculum. No grades are given to discourage competitiveness and there is no rote learning from textbooks. 1/F, 7 Silverstrand Beach Road, Clearwater Bay, enquiry@waldorf.edu.hk, www.waldorf.edu.hk.

Harrow International School (HIS) With a main building modelled on the Georgian proportions of the Royal Crescent in Bath, England, HIS in Tuen Mun has a mammoth 400,000-square-foot campus. It houses facilities for more than 400 boarding students from years six to 13, a full teaching staff and classroom facilities for about 1,500 students. Following the English National Curriculum, the Pre-Prep Phase at Harrow International School Hong Kong spans Years One to Five with each year divided into six half-termly themes that drive the curriculum. As well as maths and English, each class receives specialist teaching in music, swimming and a second language of Mandarin, French or Spanish. HIS also offers four groups in its Early Years phase: a crèche, pre-K, K1 and K2. 38 Tsing Ying Road, Tuen Mun, 2824 9099, info@harrowschool.hk, www.harrowschool.hk.

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A+

Draw up a realistic revision timeline with goals and deadlines – and stick to it.

Find out if your child is a visual or auditory learner, or both. Visual learners perform better when they copy notes, use flash cards or highlight notes in different colours. Auditory learners remember details better when they discuss topics with study mates or read their notes out loud.

Introduce mnemonic devices: acronyms and phrases to help remember facts in the same category.

Reorganise revision notes. Don’t let your child work from messy pages.

Restructure notes in bullet points and key phrases rather than blocks of text.

Ignore unnecessary points. A useful tip is to set your child a timed practice paper but let them bring one A4 page of notes into the open book “test”. Children will condense their notes onto their “cheat sheet” without realising they’ve done so.

Encourage your child to find a place where they can study effectively. If a bedroom is too distracting, try the library, school or even a coffee shop.

Support a healthy learning environment at home.

Don’t let younger siblings become a nuisance.

Get extra help early. If your child is struggling to make sense of certain subjects, seek expert help.

Don’t let your child over work. Make sure he or she gets plenty of sleep, exercises and takes proper breaks.

Make sure your child gets started before it’s too late.

Hong Kong Academy HKA recently opened a spanking new 20,000-square-metre campus in Sai Kung for children from pre-kindergarten to high school. An International Baccalaureate World School that follows the IB curriculum, HKA aims to provide a diverse and collaborative learning environment in which students become adaptable, confident and tolerant adults.

With a current enrollment of about 500 students, HKA is looking to expand to 650 students. 2655 1111, www.hkacademy.edu.hk.

Growing Young Leaders at Harrow International School Hong Kong Harrow International School Hong Kong, the first international boarding and day school in Hong Kong, opened in September 2012. The School provides a distinctive education from Early Years to Sixth Form with a strong emphasis on leadership and team-working skills outlined in the clear and distinctive vision statement, Leadership for a better world.

The School aims to develop in its students the leadership skills to make a positive difference through people to the communities in which they live and there are high expectations in the classroom, in extra-curricular activities and pastoral care throughout the School.

Curriculum The academic curriculum is based on the National Curriculum for England leading towards public examinations at IGCSE and A-level. The School’s specific academic objectives are significant value-added academic performance, first rate A-level results and entry to top universities.

Extra-curricular programme The extra-curricular activities programme aims for excellence to be achieved in sports, music, art, drama and cultural activities, while encouraging a breadth of participation in those activities that help students meet key extra-curricular themes: service, charity, teamwork, creative expression, leadership and challenge. Distinctively, the activities programme is integrated into the School day as well as the post-School enrichment programme.

Pastoral care The quality of relationships and community life, and the personal formation of character are fundamental to the life of Harrow Hong Kong. The focus of pastoral care changes from the class teacher in the Lower School (up to Year 5) to House Masters and House Mistresses in the Upper School (Year 6 - 13). Boarding, which begins from Year 6, is integral to the life of the School.

Over half of the students in the Upper School are boarders, but all students in the Upper School benefit from being members of the close-knit community of a boarding House.

Deadline for August 2014 entry Year 12 1st November 2013 Year 6 - 10 1st January 2014 Harrow International School Hong Kong 38 Tsing Ying Road, Tuen Mun New Territories, Hong Kong Tel: +852 2824 9099 Fax: +852 2824 9928 www.harrowschool.hk

education Hong Lok Yuen International School The green and open spaces of this school’s location, north of Tai Po, plus its strong community atmosphere make it unique. The school introduced the IB PYP curriculum in 2006 and opened a sister school, the International College Hong Kong, in the northern New Territories in September 2009.

Together, the two schools provide through-train education from kindergarten to Year 13. HLYIS has 430 pupils of 36 nationalities, about 60 per cent of whom are from expatriate families. A strong Mandarin programme is offered, which includes daily lessons and a class teaching Mandarin as a first language. 3 Twentieth Street, Hong Lok Yuen, 2658 6935, www.hlyis.edu.hk.

Japanese International School (JIS) Located on the edge of the Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve, JIS offers all the advantages of a smaller school through its community atmosphere and the importance it places on personal relationships. Its international section has about 170 students from 20 countries and lessoms are taught in English, although students are also required to study either Mandarin or Japanese. The school has its own indoor swimming pool, an astro-turf field and specialised classrooms. A bus service to various areas in Hong Kong is available. 2834 3531, esinfo@jis.edu.hk, www.jis.edu.hk.

Kellett School Kellett School opened a state-of-the-art primary- and secondary-school campus in September on a 9,500sqm site in Kowloon Bay for children aged four to 18. It offers a Britishstyle education, leading to GCSE/IGCSE and A Levels, with maximum class sizes of 23 children. The new campus (which complements the highly regarded primary school in Pok Fu Lam) has a rooftop multi-sport Sky Pitch with artificial turf and a running track, a six-lane indoor pool as well as indoor sport and performance spaces. With two forms in each year group, the primary section will offer up to 300 new student places. kellett@kellettschool.com, www.kellettschool.com.

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Renaissance College (RCHK) Situated in Heng On, near Ma On Shan, Renaissance College is a Private Independent School set up by the ESF, but unlike other ESF schools it doesn’t receive a government subsidy. It is an authorised IB school with 1,750 students from years one to 13. Facilities include a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, a 750-seat theatre and two rooftop astro-turf pitches. RCHK offers 85 academic and music scholarships. 5 Hang Ming Street, Ma On Shan, 3556 3556, www.renaissance.edu.hk.

Close encounters Preparing your child for school interviews. By ITS School Placements.

Children as young as two-and-a-half years old may be called for a screening interview or assessment at international schools in Hong Kong. These usually take place from November to March and can be a stressful time for parents and children.

Most interviews are similar to a mini class with six to eight children engaging in group activities conducted by two or three teachers. Your child’s English or Mandarin skills will be tested through conversation but children won’t be asked to demonstrate skills and knowledge beyond their school age.

Ensuring your child can understand and follow simple instructions is probably the most important aspect of an interview.

As well as confidence levels, instill etiquette. Children are expected to greet teachers formally, thank them at the end and maintain good eye contact.

Make sure your child is willing to respond and communicate.

Children are typically asked their names and about family members, where they live or when their birthday is.

They need to answer in full sentences.

Primary-level children may be tested on phonics, numbers and basic reading skills. Fluency in English is essential for most international schools.

Some educators argue that the best preparation is no preparation at all. It is important not to bombard your child with questions that make him or her nervous.

“The best advice I can give is to encourage your child to be as friendly and cooperative as possible with new teachers and children. In a child’s world, this equates to ‘be good’, ‘be nice’ and ‘play with other children’,” says Anne Murphy, director, ITS School Placements, which provides an education consulting service.

WHAT IS A DEBENTURE? A debenture is the name given to a loan agreement with an institutional borrower, such as a school. For parents, this translates into a large lump sum payable to the school on or before admission. Hong Kong schools sometimes call debentures Capital Notes, Nomination Rights or a Capital Contribution or Levy, but they are still essentially the same thing.

What is it for?

Most schools state that the annual fees cover the school’s running costs but not its capital costs. Debentures are a way for parents to contribute to long-term funding. Many schools (including some pre-schools) require parents of new students to pay a debenture on admission. Others allow them to buy a debenture before beginning the admissions process to earn priority in the selection system.

How much is a debenture?

In Hong Kong, they range from HK$25,000 for ESF schools to HK$10 million for a top international school. Some schools reduce the price for younger siblings. There is a “secondhand” debenture market when a school is “sold out” and existing holders are permitted to transfer their debentures. The transfer price may be set by market demands or capped by the school, which may also take a cut of the sale price.

What kind of debenture do I need?

Common types include individual or corporate; refundable, non-refundable or depreciating. An individual debenture applies to one child in a family and cannot normally be transferred. A corporate debenture is held by a company and can be used for a child of an employee. The company may transfer this debenture if the employee decides to leave.

In these circumstances, some schools allow the child to stay while others insist the child withdraws immediately once he or she is no longer covered by the corporate debenture. Children with a corporate debenture often receive priority at admissions.

Refundable, non-refundable or depreciating?

When the child leaves, some schools will refund the full debenture, without interest and less any penalties. In others, the debenture depreciates over a set number of years, sometimes to zero. In a few schools, it depreciates to zero in seven years and parents must buy a new debenture if the child is to continue at the school.

What if I can’t afford a debenture?

Some schools offer parents an alternative method of funding the school – a capital levy. This is different from a debenture in that it may be paid yearly and is refundable. It may amount to the same or more than the debenture over the course of the child’s schooling. Ruth Benny

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health list

Health services Who you gonna call?

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE Yan Chai Hospital Sai Kung Community Chinese Medicine Clinic 8 Mei Yuen Street, Sai Kung, 2791 7222.

DOCTORS Dr Rosemary Barnett, Dr David Henderson, Dr Helen Duckworth-Smith OT&P Bay Practice, 1/F, Razor Hill, Dairy Farm Shopping Centre, Clearwater Bay Road, Pik Uk, 2719 6366, www.otandp.com.

Dr Siu Yuk-kiu Shop 61, Sai Kung Town Villa, 22-40 Fuk Man Road, Sai Kung, 2792 1601, ykmp@netvigator.com.

HAIR SALONS Green Wave Salon 25 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 2792 2221.

Hair by Mike 1/F, 7 Silverstrand Beach Road, Clearwater Bay, 2335 5018.

Tala’s Hair & Beauty 56 Po Tung Road, 2335 1694, www.talashair.com.

Anna Thai & Foot Massage (including sport massage) Tak Lung Back Street, Sai Kung, 9354 7606, 6622 5398.

Nail House Hang Hau Village, 9288 6119.

Sabai Day Spa 2/F, 10D, Po Tung Road, 2791 2259, www.sabaidayspa.com.

Seafoot Reflexology 1/F, 60 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 2791 0328.

Sense of Touch G/F, 77 Man Nin Street, 2791 2278, www.senseoftouch.com.hk.

Tranquillity Foot Spa 1/F King Wah Building, 11 King Man Street, Sai Kung, 2792 0821.

HOLISTIC Angie Tourani BodyTalk holistic treatment and MindScape instructor, 6683 5755, www.bodytalksystem.com.hk.

NANNY AGENCY Naturally Nanny www.naturallynanny.com.

HOSPITALS

OPTICIAN

Mona Fong Clinic (Public general outpatient clinic) 23 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, 2792 2601 (booking hotline: 3157 0652).

Prince of Wales 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Sha Tin, 2632 2211, pwh_enquiry@ha.org.hk.

Tseung Kwan O (nearest Accident & Emergency department to Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay) 2 Po Ning Lane, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O, 2208 0111.

Union 18 Fu Kin Street, Tai Wai, Sha Tin, 2608 3388, www.union.org.

United Christian 130 Hip Wo Street, Kwun Tong, 2379 9611, www.uch.org.hk.

Michael Cheuk Optical Sai Kung Town Centre, Fuk Man Road, Sai Kung, 2792 0929.

PHARMACY Wing Ling Dispensary 18 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 2792 0537.

PHYSIOTHERAPY

MIDWIFERY

Clara Yau OT&P, 2719 6366.

Sai Kung Orthopedic Physiotherapy and Pain Centre Shop 70 ,G/F, Sai Kung Town C, 22-40 Fuk Man Road, Sai Kung, 2792 9366, info@skop.com.hk, www.skop.com.hk.

Sai Kung Physiotherapy G/F, Hoi Pong Street, Sai Kung, www.saikungphysio.com.

Hulda Garsdottir, Annerley Midwives 6291 7400, hulda@annerley.com.hk, www.annerley.com.hk.

PODIATRY

NAILS & BEAUTY A-Nails 9B Wang Street, Sai Kung, 2792 1099, www.a-nails.com.hk.

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Heidi Corcoran 2335 1694/6255 0088.

Lisa Milliner OT&P, 2719 6366.

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numbers

Important numbers CAR MECHANICS Adrian Sing: 6030 0484 Golden Sun: 2792 2808 HP Cars: 2558 0222 Sai Kung Motors: 2792 2998 Sun On Motor Services: 2792 4280

DOCTORS Dr Siu Yuk-kiu: 2792 1601 OT&P: 2719 6366

DRY CLEANING Royal Laundry & Dry Cleaning: 2705 9328 Sai Kung Laundry & Dry Cleaning: 2792 6816

ELECTRICIANS/HANDYMEN Indo Handyman: 2578 1865 Marco: 6190 8051 The Handyman HK: 9268 0514

GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS Agriculture & Fisheries (call centre): 1823 Health Department: 2961 8989 Sai Kung District Council: 3740 5200

HONG KONG OBSERVATORY Website: www.hko.gov.hk General enquiries: 2926 8200 Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal Enquiries: 1828 200

HONG KONG TOURISM BOARD

Private: Hong Kong Adventist Hospital, Stubbs Road: 3651 8888 Hong Kong Baptist Hospital, Kowloon Tong: 2339 8888 Hong Kong Sanitorium & Hospital, Happy Valley: 2572 0211 Matilda International Hospital, The Peak: 2849 1500 St Teresa’s Hospital, Kowloon City: 2200 3434 Union Hospital, Sha Tin: 2608 3388

KENNELS Ferndale: 2792 4642 Kennel Van Dego: 2792 6889

LOCKSMITH

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Fire: 2723 2233 Rescue: 2735 3355 Marine: 2803 6267 SUPERMARKETS Fusion, Clearwater Bay Road: 2335 5506 Marketplace by Jason, Razor Hill: 2358 0542 ParknShop, Sai Kung Town: 2791 1759 Taste, East Point City, Hang Hau: 3541 9573 Wellcome, Sai Kung Town: 2791 1841

TRANSPORT

BioCycle: 3575 2575

PHONE DIRECTORY ENQUIRIES

UTILITIES

English: 1081 Chinese: 1083 Overseas IDD: 10010

China Light & Power, 24hr hotline: 2728 8333 LPG Gas (Paul): 9097 2235 Water Supplies Department, customer services hotline: 2824 5000

MAN WITH A VAN KNS Van: 5403 5618

PEST & TERMITE CONTROL

PLUMBERS Lung Hing Engineering: 2792 9787 Vandalies: 6319 4745

POLICE DEPARTMENTS

Public: Prince of Wales, Sha Tin: 2632 2211 Queen Elizabeth, Jordan: 2958 8888 Tseung Kwan O: 2208 0111 Tuen Mun Hospital: 2468 5111 United Christian, Kwun Tong: 2379 9611

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Hong Kong International Airport, general enquiries: 2181 8888 MTR Train Service & Airport Express, 24-hr passenger hotline: 2881 8888 Taxis: 2729 1199/ 2728 8281/ 2697 4333 / 2729 6600 / 2383 0168 Taxi Lost and Found 24hr hotline: 3620 3744

Tung Tai Key Cut: 2792 4886

Visitor hotline: 2508 1234

HOSPITALS

EMERGENCY SERVICES (police, ambulance, fire)

Website: www.police.gov.hk Police hotline: 2527 7177 Sai Kung Police Station: 2792 1279 Tseung Kwan O Police Station: 6277 4500

POST OFFICE Hong Kong Post, Sai Kung: 2792 2243

VETS Animal Behaviour Vet Practice: 9618 2475 Animal Emergency Centre: 2915 3999 Best Friends Veterinary Hospital: 2792 8555 Creature Comforts: 9773 0372 Homevet: 9860 5522 Pets Central: 2792 0833 Sai Kung Animal Medical Centre: 2791 0308 SPCA Sai Kung: 2792 1535 Vet2Pet: 6999 1003

“Curiosity, Creativity & Collaboration�

Located in Kowloon Tong, the Australian International School Hong Kong (AISHK) is a leading Reception to Year 12 international school with a reputation for outstanding academic performance. Our mission is to provide a world-class international school where students, through active participation, achieve their personal best and graduate as skilled, influential and responsible international citizens.

AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL HONG KONG www.aishk.edu.hk 3A Norfolk Road, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong T: +852 2304 6078 F: +852 2304 6077 E: info@aishk.edu.hk

For 35 years Woodland has set the standard in Hong Kong for quality early years education.

With ten schools, Woodland offers the only accredited early years education in Hong Kong.

• Nursery & Pre-School classes for children up to 6 years old • Extra Curricular Clubs for children aged 3 yrs plus • Buses available for neighbouring areas

For further information please contact Ms Angela Chan:

Sai Kung

Shop D, G/F Marina Cove Shopping Centre, Sai Kung, New Territories Tel: 2813 0290 Fax: 2719 2938 Email: saikung@woodlandschools.com

www.woodlandschools.com