Dear Parents and Students,
During the coming term, I will be the Acting Principal
of the English Section of Korean International School.
I have been teaching at the school for sixteen years
and in recent years I have been Assistant Principal
working closely with Dr. P. Leesinsky, our previous
Principal.
Under the direction of Dr. P. Leesinsky, we have seen
the introduction of a Cambridge based
programme of studies in Foundation Year through to Year
12. The Year 10 and 11 students take the IGCSE and Year
12 students take the Advanced International Certificate
of Education. In addition, parents now have online access
to accurate and up-to-date information on grades, homework
and lesson plans.
Please take the time to read the information provided
on our webpage and do not hesitate to contact us if
we can provide further information. I look forward to
having the opportunity to discuss in more detail what
our school has to offer.
Mrs. L. Thomson
Acting Principal of the English Section
August 22, 2011
Additional Information for Foreign Students and Parents:
By Dr. P. Leesinsky
Leaving a home country where many years have been used
to learn about the structure and organization of education
to come to a totally new environment is an ‘interesting’
experiment for any expatriate family. It is important
that such parents applying to Korean International School
[KIS] understand some of the differences that most likely
exist when comparing what is being left behind in the
home country to what is on offer at KIS. I would like
to take some time to go into what my experience has
informed me about those differences.
I am hoping that students and their parents come to
Hong Kong with an interest in Asian-based education.
It is no secret that many Asian societies value education
highly and that recognition allows international schools
operating in Asia with large numbers of Asian students
to set a higher standard and to have increased expectations
of all students. This should be welcome news for parents
coming to Asia as the erosion that has persisted in
many western systems of education because of the politicization
of the process has not been as prevalent in Asia. Simply
put, both the students and the school probably have
to work a lot harder here than was the case in the home
country. This requirement is the basis for much of the
value that is added to education at Korean International
School.
When students move from a less rigourous system to
one that is more challenging, it is normal that there
will be a period of adaptation. KIS staff are well aware
of the lack of confidence many of our beginning clients
have and we work together with parents and students
to effect a transition that is less stressful. But,
we do not reduce our expectations or lower our standards
– experience has taught us that most students
can make the change to a system where there is homework
and a real management [a.k.a. discipline] system in
place school-wide. Students are adaptable and they can
meet challenges, especially when the school recognizes
the nature of the challenge and provides the support
needed initially. Together with parents and students,
KIS can and does assist students to become productive
– defined here objectively as measured by external
as well as internal assessment.
It is important for the clients of KIS to understand
that like all international schools in Hong Kong we
may feature a curriculum and evaluation developed and
supported by a western country – England in our
case – but we are an international school in Asia
and we should reflect the greater work ethic and generally
higher academic expectations that this part of the world
has used in the last half century to forge ahead. There
is much of value in the western system of education
we market, but we have had to adapt to the increased
demands of our regional clients and expatriate families
coming to Hong Kong should view this as a positive opportunity
for their children.
Dr. P. Leesinsky
April 27th 2011
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