Australian International School Hong Kong
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| Australian International School Hong Kong |
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| Established | February, 1995 |
| School type | R-12, Private, International, co-educational |
| Key People | Phillip Waugh, Leonie Drew, (Co-Heads of School) Howard West (Assistant Principal) |
| School Fees | Undisclosed |
| Location | Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong |
| Enrollment | over 1000 |
| Employees | 120 |
| Colours | Green, Gold |
| Homepage | http://www.aishk.edu.hk |
Australian International School Hong Kong (香港澳洲國際學校), also known as AISHK, is a co-educational, international school in Kowloon Tong, Kowloon of Hong Kong. It follows the New South Wales curriculum where final year (grade twelve) students can either take the New South Wales Board of Studies Higher School Certificate examinations or the International Baccalaureate IB Diploma Programme. (after September 2005 when it became an IB World School)
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[edit] Campus
AISHK first started in February 1995 at 113 Boundary Street, Kowloon Tong, shortly before it moved to Gun Club Hill, 127 Austin Road, Tsim Sha Tsui where, back then, it provided only primary education from reception to grade six. Each year after, the school extended to providing education to one more grade until reaching grade twelve in 2001. In 1998, the school moved to 3A Norfolk Road, Kowloon Tong, the current and permanent location of the school. Due to the lack of facilities and teaching space, the school was moved temporarily to 5 Tonkin Street, Cheung Sha Wan while the Kowloon Tong campus was renovated. AISHK returned to Kowloon Tong when the renovation finished in 2001.
[edit] Facilities
AISHK was the winner of the 2001 HKIA (Hong Kong Institute of Architects) Medal of the Year - Hong Kong's foremost architectural award. The building is nine stories high with many facilities such as an artificially turfed sports field, a gymnasium, a multi-purpose hall, a well equipped and resourced K-12 library, an auditorium and, located on the top (ninth) floor, a 25-metre swimming pool.
[edit] School system
The school follows a southern hemisphere custom where school year starts in February and ends in mid December. Mondays to Fridays are school days. Unlike at other Hong Kong local schools there are four term breaks during the school year, usually in April, July and October.
[edit] Academics
Emphasis is given to Australian English competence, sports and the knowledge of Australian culture and history. Putonghua spoken Chinese and Chinese reading are also taught intensively for students of Chinese ethnicity whereas separate classes for Westerners teach these topics at a more basic level.
[edit] Primary students
English and Mathematics are taught by homeroom or class teachers. Other subjects include Physical Education, Music, Putonghua and Information Technology which are taught by other specialists teachers.
[edit] Junior secondary students
For year 7 to year 10 students, their programs are divided into two stages: Year 7 to Year 8, and Year 9 to Year 10.
During Year 7 to 8, the focus is to initiate these students into the varying style of secondary schooling structure, thus a core set of 9-10 subjects are prechosen for them to actively explore and expand on their previously accumulated experiences.
During Years 9 to 10, students are given the choice to choose the subjects they are interested in, provided they study the core subjects of:
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- Australian Geography and History is required for the examination of "Australian Geography, History, Civics and Citizenship exam"
These core subjects are tailored to the needs of the School Certificate exam undertaken in the end of the Year 10.
The range of elective subjects embody a diverse range of interest, including the following (and subject to variation due to student's interests each year):
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Furthermore, at the end of Year 10, students are required to undertake firsthand a 2 week period of job experience, which they may "get a feel" for what it is really like inside the world of their interested future career's industry.
[edit] Senior secondary students
For year 11 to year 12 students, they are able to choose between undergoing the Higher School Certificate course or the International Baccalaureate course.
[edit] Higher School Certificate
The Higher School Certificate (HSC) is based on the New South Wales' Stage 6 curriculum, consisting of a large variety of subject to choose from.
In the first year of this certificate, know as the Preliminary year, students are required to undertake a minimum of 12 units courses of study approved by the New South Wales Board of Studies. In the second year of this certificate, students are required to take a minimum of 10 units of study. This minimum is essential to the contribution to the University Admission Index, which is the basis in which Australian universities choose their potential university applicants for most university courses.
Most HSC courses are worth 2 units of study, with some extension subjects worth 1 unit of study. There is one compulsory course of study, which is either English Standard (2 Unit) or English Advanced (2 Unit).
AISHK offers a diverse range of courses to its students. This range varies according to the interests of the student group during that year. The courses offered includes, but are subject to vary (The courses make up 2 unit points unless stated otherwise):
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- Mathematics Extension 2 is undertaken during the Year 12 year or HSC year, and will result in a withdraw from the course "Mathematics (2 unit)" upon this choice.
The HSC school year of Year 11 and 12 are slightly different to that of their junior years. The course of study for the Preliminary year starts in the beginning of the year, and extends over 3 terms, with a mid year exam in June and final exams in September. The HSC year of Year 12 will start in the "4th term" of the school year, usually commencing October, until mid-December. This forms their first term. The second term extends from late January/early February to May, during which a mid year exam will be held early in the term. The third term extends from June until September, when the final internal exams "trials" will be held around late August. Then there are no formal classes, and the final external exam period starts in mid October and finishes in mid November.
[edit] Society
The school has two distinct groups of students: Hong Kongers and Australians. According to the 2005 census, around 40% of students were Australians, 50% of students were Hong Kongers and the remainder came from other countries.
[edit] Notable alumni
- Stephanie Cheng, singer
