Po Leung Kuk Choi Kai Yau School (Chinese: 保良局蔡繼有學校, abbreviated: CKY) is a popular ‘through-train’ private independent school for girls and boys aged 6-18, ranging from primary through to International Baccalaureate Diploma students. Situated in Cheung Sha Wan nearby Prince Edward MTR, CKY provides approximately 1,300 local children with an all-round education which aims to develop the whole individual.

History

Po Leung Kuk Choi Kai Yau School is the first independent and non-profit making through train school in Hong Kong, offering a 12 year bilingual curriculum to students. An application to build the school on Caldecott Road was granted to Po Leung Kuk in the year 2000. However, the site was occupied by two other schools until early 2002 when one of the schools vacated the site. Consequently, Choi Kai Yau School started its operation in Caldecott Road in September 2002. The school opened and moved into its new, purpose built campus in September 2009.

The school’s vision is shaped by the belief that each child loves learning and has different potentials. Provided that students’ interest is stimulated, that they are given appropriate guidance, that they are given opportunities to develop their confidence, that they are cared for and constantly encouraged, they will become outstanding people.

Key Stages 1-2

Primary students follow a student-centred curriculum designed for Hong Kong students. Readers and novels are used for both English and Chinese, which helps to develop students who are confident bilingual learners. Teachers focus on stimulating a desire for learning and building students’ confidence. The Primary section values all-round education and fosters a positive attitude as well as positive learning habits among students.

CKY’s focus is on teaching students how to learn; how to think; and the importance of trying your best. The school aims to cultivate young people who are confident in their ability and have the positive attitudes which will enable them to lead a successful, healthy and happy childhood.

Key Stages 3-4

CKY’s student-centred secondary curriculum encourages students to ask questions and seek out answers for themselves. The school’s focus on cultivating students’ interest in reading so that they read-to-learn is central to the school’s mission of developing confident learners.

The school believes that each child is naturally motivated to learn and wants to engage in fun and exciting learning activities that will further their understanding. The school’s 3Rs of respect; responsibility; and responsiveness guides students in how to conduct themselves in and out of school.

A supportive classroom environment helps students to become independent learners and to find out what they need to know. Moreover, CKY’s activity based learning allows students to explore their group membership and individual qualities.

IGCSE

In Years 9 and 10 students take a broad range of subjects leading to IGCSE qualifications. The International General Certificate of Education (IGCSE) is the international version of the GCSE provided in Key Stage 4 of the UK national curriculum. IGCSE is the world's most popular international curriculum for 14-16 year olds, leading to globally recognised and valued qualifications. CKY adopts Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) as its examination board, which is the largest IGCSE provider in the world. In addition, the IGCSE is a subject-specific curriculum and CKY students are offered a diverse choice of electives in addition to core subjects. The types and number of subjects offered are based on the rationale that students should follow a fairly wide and balanced curriculum. Students are taught by teachers who are subject specialists in their fields, most of whom have experience of teaching in the UK.

IB Diploma Programme

CKY students follow the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) in Years 11 and 12.

The CKY DP is a challenging two-year course, which prepares students for success in life beyond secondary education. The curriculum is specifically designed to promote international understanding through a broad and balanced academic experience. Students typically study six subjects from six different groups that cluster related disciplines. Through a core component, the DP also enhances the development of a wide range of life-long skills. This extra level of enrichment distinguishes the DP from other qualifications.

The DP at CKY offers an opportunity for students to explore a wide plethora of real world issues under the guidance and support of teachers so that they can develop into caring, globally aware and ethically sensitive young people.

Extended Learning

The CKY motto, ‘In this school, every child is good at something’ recognises each student’s individual talents. An aptitude in music, art, sport or drama is valued alongside academic ability, as is character formation and the development of moral reasoning.

A comprehensive extended curriculum at CKY provides students with a variety of extra-curricular activities which cater for diverse interests. Activities include a wide range of music, art, and school clubs, which include touch rugby, chess, and debating among many others. An array of activities and clubs provides students with an opportunity to develop skills and interests outside the classroom.

World Classroom and Service Learning

Outdoor learning forms part of the school curriculum because the outside world offers ample opportunities for CKY students to gain new cultural experiences, to challenge their thinking and to broaden their horizons. CKY offers overseas study trips for students of Year 4 and above, known as the world classroom, to the following destinations: Year 4 - Beijing; Year 5 - Taiwan; Year 6 - Xian/Shanghai; Year 7 - Singapore; Year 8 - UK. All students are encouraged to join these study tours. Students in Years 9 to 12 participate in overseas service tours which combine new cultural experiences with unpaid work experience. In October 2010, students in Year 10 took part in assisting at the Shanghai Expo.

To instil in students a sense of civic responsibility, CKY has initiated a community service programme for all students from Year 4 onwards. This programme, known as Community Service Learning, is incorporated into the school curriculum and offers students training, encouraging them to reflect on their own values and to appreciate the needs of others. It is also hoped that through this programme, CKY students will learn to give unconditionally and contribute to their local community.

Sporting Teams

CKY provides a variety of sporting activities which enable students to participate in team based sports whilst improving their skills and general fitness. Sports offered include basketball, volleyball, table tennis, swimming, and badminton. In February 2011, Ellie Fong, a Year 6 CKY student, won gold in table tennis at the ITTF Junior World Championship in Sweden.

House System

The House system at CKY allows students to participate in extra-curricular activities and sporting competitions with the support of a close-knit community of students in different year groups. Students belong to one of four houses: Beethoven; Handel; Mozart; and Tchaikovsky. There is healthy competition between the houses, with each house aiming to shine in various competitions held throughout the school year. Through the House system, students have a real sense of belonging to a team, where older students build bonds with and mentor younger students.

Student Leadership

CKY provides students with a number of opportunities to develop their leadership skills as well as their ability to work in a team. The CKY Prefect Team empowers students to take on roles and responsibilities which help to ensure the school day operates smoothly. Prefects act as role models for other students demonstrating the positive attitudes and behaviours expected of all students. CKY Class Committees allow students to gain valuable experience by taking up important roles, as well as ownership for organising class activities. The forthcoming development of a Student Council will provide students with additional opportunities and a voice for representing the wider student body.

Facilities

CKY’s campus provides an ideal learning environment for students. Specialist teaching facilities include integrated science laboratories, four computer rooms, visual art and design rooms, a technology workshop and a dance studio. Amenities include an indoor swimming pool, a 1000+ seat auditorium, a state-of-the-art library and a lecture theatre. The sports ground offers students extensive facilities which include basketball courts, volleyball courts, football pitches, a handball court, a netball court, a tennis court, a table tennis room and a covered playground.

Library

The CKY library is a state-of-the-art facility, which offers students, teachers and parents access to the newest information and teaching resources. The library offers secondary students quiet study spaces, a number of which offer internet access, as well as a large reading area for primary students. Throughout the school there are reading galleries where students can enjoy the pleasure of reading.

Future Developments

Since CKY’s establishment in 2002, the school has grown year on year and currently provides over 1,300 students with a rounded, high quality education. CKY will offer its first cohort of Year 11 students the IB Diploma Programme from September 2011, and the school will expand its teaching staff and resources in line with student enrollment growth. New facilities will include a climbing wall and rebuilding the school’s spacious rooftop into a multipurpose hall and gym.

External links

• Po Leung Kuk Choi Kai Yau School
• Po Leung Kuk