Dear Parents,
It was fantastic to see so many of you in school last week during our recent parent information events. Your support and engagement are invaluable to our community, and we were delighted that so many of you were able to meet with your child’s Form Tutors and receive important updates.
I am thrilled to share some exciting news with the launch of our MIT lectures. This initiative promises to enrich our students' learning experiences and inspire them to explore new fields of knowledge.
Our Extra-Curricular Activities are off to a brilliant start! It has been wonderful to witness so many students taking advantage of the diverse range of activities on offer, including golf in Sai Kung, professional LAMDA training, and hip-hop dancing. The enthusiasm displayed by our students is truly commendable.
As we look ahead, I want to address Typhoon Ragasa, which is expected to make landfall this week. Please keep an eye on communications from the school. On this occasion, all work set via Firefly will be considered optional learning, as we prioritise the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff.
Should the school remain closed, please note that any parent events scheduled for this week will be rearranged in accordance with EDB guidelines, and we will send out emails to confirm the new arrangements.
I hope you all stay safe and well during this time.
Fiona Thorndike
Head of Secondary
STEAM/MIT – Mr. Rees
Lectures From MIT Experts
We’re excited to announce the launch of our MIT Monday Lectures series, with the first session taking place on Monday, 29th September in the school’s Innovation Space (6th floor) during student lunchtime.
Each month, MIT delivers a live lecture via video link exclusively for Nord Anglia students, featuring cutting-edge research and inspiring speakers from the MIT community. This opportunity is open to all students!
This month’s session is hosted by Dr. Fatima Husain and features graduate student Fiona Anstey, who will share her fascinating research into how fossils can help us understand the ancient world.
Lecture Overview
To find out what Earth's oceans were like millions of years ago, you need to look for chemical clues. Fiona Anstey is a graduate student in MIT's Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences who travels the world to find special fossils of ocean creatures that track the Earth's climate. In her Abstract, Fiona will discuss how these tiny fossils can help us reveal Earth's past, and why that matters for understanding our planet today.
Enrichment – Mr. Rogers
It's only 9 weeks till Enrichment Week!
A friendly reminder that the final payment for all international trips is due this Wednesday, 24th September. Should you have any questions regarding payments, please contact The Enrichment Team directly at SecondaryEnrichment@nais.hk. Once payments are confirmed, we will be sharing essential visa information, packing lists, detailed itineraries, and details for our online parent information evenings.
Futures Update – Miss Smit
Futures has gotten off to a busy start! Each year level has been paired with a charity and are as follows:
Y7: Drop of Life
Y8: Feeding Hong Kong
Y9: Bring Me A Book Hong Kong
Y10: Plastic Free Seas
Y11: Sai Kung Stray Friends
The students have spent time researching the organisation and the work that they do in the community. The year 7, 8 and 9 classes are currently working on a class project to raise funds for their assigned charity, while the year 10s are conducting research on campus to provide suggestions to the Environmental Committee on how to make our campus more environmentally friendly. The year 11s are researching a range of topics related to dog ownership and will be sharing these with the community shortly – watch this space!
Introducing our new staff
Cameron Graham – Business and Economics
Hello, I’m Cameron. I’m one of the Economics and Business Studies teachers. I’m very excited to move to Hong Kong as this was my favourite city to visit as a tourist. The food, hiking and entertainment make it a great place to live.
I have a diverse professional background with ten years of experience as an accountant before transitioning into education. I studied Teaching at Sunderland University and further advanced my expertise by completing a master’s degree in international education at the same institution. Over the past 10 years, I have specialised in IGCSE Economics and Business Studies, A-level Business and IB Business.
My passion for investing enriches my teaching, allowing me to bring real-world insights into the classroom. Outside of work, I enjoy staying active through hiking and swimming, which provide a great balance to my professional life and help me stay healthy.
Elsie Au – Science
Hi everyone, I’m Elsie Au and I’m very happy to be joining the NAIS HK family. I’ve been teaching science for over ten years, including more than seven years in international schools. My background covers MYP Science, IAL and IB Chemistry, and I’m excited to now have the chance to work with KS3 and learn more about the curriculum here.
I’ve always believed that mistakes can be a great teacher. When students make what I call “good mistakes,” they learn to reflect and grow. That’s what science is really about—trial, error, and discovery. Edison is remembered for inventing the light bulb, but he also found hundreds of ways it didn’t work first. I want my students to see that same value in the learning process.
Outside of school, I enjoy yoga and water sports. I also love travelling and have been fortunate to visit more than 40 countries so far. Every journey has given me new experiences and perspectives, and I hope to pass on that curiosity and resilience to my students.
Hector Stinton – MFL
Hi, I'm Hector. I’m pleased to introduce myself as a new French/Spanish teacher. As such, I’ll endeavour to impart a life-long love of languages and learning.
I’ve family in Hong Kong but am from Britain, where I taught MFL for six years in state comprehensives, first via Teach First in Coventry; then as a middle leader in London. As part of my studies at Oxford, I taught English in Colombia, France and Chile. I hold graduate degrees from Cambridge and Birmingham.
I'm the fourth generation of pedagogues in my family! My great grandma was a French tutor; my grandparents were a primary teacher and headteacher; my parents are teachers of art and music; and several in-laws work in special and higher education.
I’m learning Tajiki and Italian. Next up, Chinese! I play a few stringed instruments and enjoy the triathlon sports, but am yet to try all three sports together(!)
Sports Updates – Ms. Wiltshire
Updated Badminton Trials
Match Reports
U14 Boys Football
On Monday 15th September, the NAIS Knights U14 boys had an exciting opening match at Quarry Bay against ISF, the school where Mr. Stewart previously coached. Right from the start, ISF showed their strong athletic skills, quickly scoring the first goal just three minutes in. The Knights fought back, with Louie B nearly equalizing in a one-on-one situation. Caleb N made a crucial save to prevent ISF from scoring again.
After some substitutions, the Knights struggled to gain control of the game, and ISF scored two more goals, making it 3-0 by halftime.
In the second half, the Knights switched to a new formation and started strong. Edwin H scored from a distance, bringing the score to 3-1. However, ISF quickly responded with another goal, making it 4-1. The Knights didn’t give up and launched several attacks on ISF's goal. Edwin scored again, making it 4-2, followed by Aiden's goal, bringing the score to 4-3 with just two minutes left.
In a thrilling finish, Edwin scored his third goal in the final minute, equalising the match at 4-4. It was an entertaining game for everyone involved!
On Wednesday 17th September, the U14 boys travelled to Happy Valley to play GSIS in what some were describing as a football match. The Bavarian giants proved too strong for the tiny Knights and the official score on the ISSFHK website goes down as 7-0 to GSIS.
U16 Girls Netball
On Tuesday 16th September the U16 Girls Netball team travelled to VSA for their 3rd match of the season. The team is still finding their feet this season with many new players. The game started well, finishing the first quarter 10 – 2. By the end of the 3rd quarter, we had to call the mercy rule as we were ahead 24 – 4. We played the final quarter where the result did not change, and the girls got to play in different positions to see how they faired. There is still some work to do in terms of tactical play, but it was a great positive boost to the team to win the match. Go Knights.
U16 Girls Volleyball
What an incredible day, Wednesday 17th September, for our U16 Girls Volleyball squad! In their third round of matches, they faced WIS and IS, showcasing determination and skill that kept us on the edge of our seats.
The first match against WIS started rocky, with unforced errors due to communication issues. After a quick timeout, the girls rallied and took the first set. WIS fought back, leveling the match at 1-1. In a nail-biting third set, our girls refused to back down, clinching the win in a thrilling finish.
Next was IS, an unbeaten team that had recently defeated TSIS. Our girls shined with crisp communication and powerful serves. After a shaky moment, they dominated the second set, winning 25-20. Energised, they stormed into the next set with an 8-0 lead, finishing strong at 15-6.
What a day to be a Knight! Gooooo Knights!
U14 Girls Football
On Wednesday 17th September, the U14 girls travelled to Lai Chi Kok to play CAIS in a top of the table clash knowing that a test awaited them.
In what was a step up in class of opposition the team found themselves losing 2-0 after 10 minutes. Then, the team showed the strength, determination and resilience we knew was there to stage a comeback to lead 3-2 at half time following goals from Amara, Lou Lou and Ariel. The second half continued as the first - a battle in midfield for possession and territory. Both teams gave everything until the final kick and despite their best efforts CAIS managed to score 2 goals in the final 8 minutes to win 4-3.
Several big performances with lots of heart and character on display from members of the squad.
The final league game next week will be enough to secure a finals place if the team performs as they did today.
Young Musician of the Year Sign Up Poster/Info – Ryan Sayce
As you may have seen from your child’s Firefly page, the Nord Anglia Young Musician of the Year Competition is well under way. There is only one week left to submit entries!
This is a great opportunity to celebrate our talented students as solo instrumentalists across our three Key Stages!
Students have the chance to upload a solo performance and will receive feedback from the Music Department as well as gaining a certificate of participation.
The deadline for uploading the performance videos will be 5pm, Friday 26th September. This competition is open to all students at NAIS HK Secondary, from beginner to advanced and virtuoso standards. Each student may enter on one instrument/voice and should select their experience level accordingly.
We intend to hold live semi-finals in the week commencing the 20th October with the overall winner for KS3 and overall winner from KS4 & 5 being announced after a live final on Friday 24th October For both KS3 and KS4 & 5 there are 4 categories: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced and Virtuoso for all our students now working beyond Grade 8!
Uploading performance videos
Students should upload their performance video for the competition through the Microsoft Form; the link is provided below.
Please make sure that the video is uploaded with the correct category selected, to allow us to appropriately give feedback and that your entry video is accurately named in the following format: [First Name, Surname, Class] e.g. [Ryan Sayce, 13B].
The link to the form for all uploads is here:
https://forms.office.com/r/PZKVbkVJdN
Please ensure you are signed into your NAISHK school office 365 email account (firstname_lastname@nais.hk) to gain access to the form.
Expectation and guidelines for recording of performance video
Students will be expected to play a piece no longer than 3 minutes in duration. Please note that if the piece exceeds the time limit, students are expected to conclude their performance within the time limit at an appropriate place in the music.
When recording the video, landscape mode is recommended if recording using a mobile device such as smart phone and a good quality of video is expected (i.e. able to see the student clearly perform). Students should wear a form of school uniform (full school uniform, PE kit, House T-Shirt) in the video.
To introduce their piece, we would like to hear the students say:
• Their first name:
• Which year group they belong to:
• Name of the piece that they are going to perform
The above information should be in display (written format) when uploading the video.
Students should treat this performance as if they were playing in a formal music setting. Therefore, appropriate manners of a musician are expected, such as bowing to the audience (facing the camera in this case) upon the completion of their performance. There is no expectation to memorise music, but this may allow for more expression of the music.
Timeline
Deadline for Online Round 1: Friday 26th September
Instrumental Family Live Semi-finals: 20th, 21st, 22nd & 23rd October
Live Final Performance: Friday 24th October
We are very excited to hold this event again and look forward to showcasing our students’ talents and musicianship skills to both staff and parents of the school.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Mr. Sayce at ryan.sayce@nais.hk
Best of luck!
Looking Ahead
