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標題: ESF hillside k1 [打印本頁]

作者: 木子兔媽媽 時間: 14-6-6 13:28 標題: ESF hillside k1

My girl very fortunately got offer from ICS and KCIS already. We lived on HK West. Now ESF hillside call her for an interview. If she is got accepted, what should we do?

作者: jolalee 時間: 14-6-6 13:55

本帖最後由 jolalee 於 14-6-6 13:57 編輯

Congratulations! Given ESF kindergarten no longer have interview priority to ESF primaries, if you are looking for a quality through-train school it is between KCIS & ICS. You must rank within your mind the education goals for your child, including: academic strengths, character building, Chinese curriculum, through-train or not, distance to school & other factors that are important to your family. If you can a have short list of ranked goals, then we can help provide suitable comments for your child.
[note: ICS technically is not a through-train school but over 90% of ICS kindie kids gets into ICS primary so it is as good as through-train]

作者: 木子兔媽媽 時間: 14-6-6 14:49 標題: 回覆：jolalee 的帖子

Thanks!

作者: FattyDaddy 時間: 14-6-6 16:06

jolalee 發表於 14-6-6 13:55
Given ESF kindergarten no longer have interview priority to ESF primaries ...

This is just my personal impression, in previous years it is relatively rare for ESF kindergartens to be still calling for interviews at this late stage (almost mid-June already), may be this year more people are giving up their ESF kindergarten offers which they accepted earlier and thus free up more slots. It does seem ESF kindergartens have become less attractive given that they no longer enjoy application priority to ESF primary schools.

While it is true that if one's target is ESF primary schools, ESF kindergartens is still the best route because of the close working relationship between ESF kindergartens and primary schools built up over the years, the lack of an officially stated priority is discouraging.

作者: c200 時間: 14-6-6 16:16

回覆 FattyDaddy 的帖子

While it is true that if one's target is ESF primary schools, ESF kindergartens is still the best route because of the close working relationship between ESF kindergartens and primary schools built up over the years.

Totally agree of your view.......

作者: 木子兔媽媽 時間: 14-6-6 16:17 標題: 回覆：FattyDaddy 的帖子

Thanks! I am also very surprised when I received the call today.

作者: FattyDaddy 時間: 14-6-6 16:35

木子兔媽媽發表於 14-6-6 16:17
Thanks! I am also very surprised when I received the call today.

Good luck with the interview. If your child is accepted by Hillside and your residential address falls into Bradbury School's catchment, the chances of your child proceeding to Bradbury 2 years later should be quite good, Hillside is next door to Bradbury, and convenience (of the primary school teachers doing their assessment) does help.

作者: 木子兔媽媽 時間: 14-6-6 16:43

We lived in Sai Ying Pun

作者: 木子兔媽媽 時間: 14-6-6 16:58

We lived in Sai Ying Pun and that falls into Kennedy School. We got another living place in North point and that would fall into Quarry Bay school. So what should I do in this case?

作者: 木子兔媽媽 時間: 14-6-6 17:06

And if my maiden family address can apply Bradbury school, would it be possible then?

作者: FattyDaddy 時間: 14-6-6 17:20

木子兔媽媽發表於 14-6-6 17:06
And if my maiden family address can apply Bradbury school, would it be possible then?

You will need to provide a proof of your residential address, e.g. a utility bill (electricity, gas etc) with your name and address printed. If you really want to, I suppose you could ask your parents to use your name for their electricity or gas accounts.

作者: 木子兔媽媽 時間: 14-6-6 17:42

Thanks FattyDaddy! I am just curious to know for the 3 ESF schools I mentioned (Kennedy, Quarry Bay & Bradbury), which one is better than which? (Or should I compare them?)

作者: FattyDaddy 時間: 14-6-6 17:54

木子兔媽媽發表於 14-6-6 17:42
Thanks FattyDaddy! I am just curious to know for the 3 ESF schools I mentioned (Kennedy, Quarry Bay ...

In principle, there is little difference between ESF schools, I mentioned Bradbury simply because of the "convenience factor", you will know when you go for the interview at Hillside that it is in the same building complex as Bradbury.

作者: jolalee 時間: 14-6-6 18:02

木子兔媽媽:
From my research, QBS is very well thought of and Bradbury was know to be pretty good as well. Kennedy often get mixed reviews, mainly due to a few bad loose teachers and supposedly lack of communication with the parents, but i am sure once i say this many parents from Kennedy will rectify what i heard.

Of high school i heard that West Island is good, both in terms of academics and facilities. I did a bit of research but mainly it's just things i read on school forums.

Fatty Daddy:
The way how the ESF 'lottery' system works (where applicant is assigned a random number), if a person is near the middle or end of the queue, i am not sure if the close relationship between ESF kindergartens and primary schools built up over the years would help. I am sure it would be useful in the interview, but we all know (at least in the past) ESF interviews basically check for the child's ability to communicate in English anyhow, so good preparation at a good IS would do.

Also, given they now have no priority, i am now sure if primary school teachers would still go to ESF kindergartens to do their assessments.

作者: 木子兔媽媽 時間: 14-6-6 18:28 標題: 回覆：jolalee 的帖子

Thanks Jolalee again. Did you hear anything about hillside?

作者: FattyDaddy 時間: 14-6-6 18:53

本帖最後由 FattyDaddy 於 14-6-6 18:57 編輯

jolalee 發表於 14-6-6 18:02
The way how the ESF 'lottery' system works (where applicant is assigned a random number) ...

Yes this is how the system currently works, but we don't know if this system will also be adjusted, only time will tell how much it will affect ESF kindergarten pupil's success rate in proceeding to ESF primary schools. My guess is, the success rate will decrease but perhaps not significantly. No I don't have any facts to support this, other than reasoning from a business point of view, it does not make business sense for ESF to hurt their kindergartens significantly but bring no obvious gain to the foundation as a whole, unless their business plan is to downsize and eventually cease operating kindergartens altogether, but this seems unlikely because they are opening a new kindergarten in Tung Chung in 2015, so either they are stupid or they are keeping something up their sleeves.

Anyway, this looming uncertainty seems to be already undermining people's confidence in ESF kindergartens.

作者: 木子兔媽媽 時間: 14-6-6 19:40 標題: 回覆：ESF hillside k1

What I concern is the academic, moral values and vision of the teacher staff and students in these schools. Priority in primary school places and sibling priority are also another concern.

作者: jolalee 時間: 14-6-6 19:41

木子兔媽媽發表於 14-6-6 18:28
Thanks Jolalee again. Did you hear anything about hillside?

Always heard very good comments about Hillside. Met an ESF Hillside teacher once and she was great; she told me how Hillside operates and the system is very meticulous (in a positive way), taking note of how/what students learn each day. It's the only ESF kindie on HK island and used to be impossible to get in.

Like what others have said, it's probably due to the lack of priority would it be possible to get an offer now in June. Probably other parents weighted the pros and cons too and gave up their spot, probably due to another offer from another school at this time as well. May-June is the "2nd chance" period where existing kids withdraw and parents finalize their decisions hence releasing additional spots.

作者: 木子兔媽媽 時間: 14-6-6 20:56 標題: 回覆：jolalee 的帖子

That's why I am so surprised! It is such a difficult decision to give up any of the schools as they are all so great!

作者: jolalee 時間: 14-6-6 21:14

That's why I asked you to list out your goals. Every family is different. For example, this is mine in the order of importance:
1) A through-train school with strong academics
2) A good Chinese program (but doesn't need to rival LS)
3) Character building
After listing out these 'guidelines', it become clearer as I match and compare each school accordingly. I believe for your family character building rank higher, correct?

作者: 木子兔媽媽 時間: 14-6-6 21:24 標題: 回覆：ESF hillside k1

My emphasis put first on Christian-centered value and acts (not just a brand but really working out the value of Christ). That's why ICS is so good but I really hoped they are real Christians, or the negative effects will be much worse than going to a non-Christian school.

Then equal emphasis puts on academics and sibling priority.

Through-train is considered only if the schools are good enough to maintain their standards till secondary schools. We are not rich enough to send the kids to overseas.

作者: jolalee 時間: 14-6-7 13:12

本帖最後由 jolalee 於 14-6-7 13:30 編輯

What I concern is the academic, moral values and vision of the teacher staff and students in these schools. Priority in primary school places and sibling priority are also another concern.

木子兔媽媽發表於 14-6-6 21:24
My emphasis put first on Christian-centered value and acts (not just a brand but really working out ...

Let me rank each of your options in accordance to your goals:

Christ-centred values & action--
ICS

Academics--
ESF (ICS is not bad but ESF tops it)

Sibling Priority--
ESF, ICS, KCIS (Sorry no idea about this, but all IS sibling priority should be strong except for the few most popular ones such as CDNIS, CIS, SIS etc)

Through-train from KG to high school graduation, keeping the standard in secondary--
ICS (>90% KG students going into ICS primary)
[ESF: KG has no priority to primary anymore, KCIS: primary is good but secondary weak, much like YCIS]

In terms of moral value, all IB schools do emphasize good global values; it's just a matter of how the school carries it out. ESF is okay, more on academics then moral training, but at least it is a down to earth school unlike some Ritzy IS. ICS is a genuine Christian school with caring teachers. I've heard and seen the school cranking out kind & wonderful kids.

I guess ICS is what you're looking for, but it is a bit far for your chlid. Given you live on HK Island though, did you try SWCK & it's affiliated ICA? I heard only great things about this school and it seem to fit your goals (except ICA is still new and we're not sure how it will do academically in the future, but so far so good).

作者: 木子兔媽媽 時間: 14-6-7 14:42 標題: 回覆：jolalee 的帖子

Thanks Jolalee. We gave up SWCK already as no priority to ICA and well, it is too happy for my daughter. That's why she is so fortunate... Maybe the interview coming is just to ascertain that ICS is worth going!

作者: jolalee 時間: 14-6-7 21:55

I guess through-train and academics does rank high in your heart then

(I didn't know previously that SWCK has no priority into ICA. That's sad.)

Seem like ICS is your cup of tea; sometimes it takes other offers to confirm it ;)

作者: 木子兔媽媽 時間: 14-6-9 18:54 標題: 回覆：jolalee 的帖子

You are right indeed in practice. It seems like God is testing my faith this time.

作者: jolalee 時間: 14-6-9 19:20

回覆木子兔媽媽的帖子

One last thing: At this age remember to try to keep the travel time door-to-door to 30 minutes max. Given i've been taking my child to class everyday that's 1/2 hour door-to-door and to a weekly class that's about an hour away from home, i know the difference, and understands why experts does advise a 30 minutes limit. Any travel time more then 30 minutes really wears the children out, and if that's done on a daily basis, it's really not healthy for the kids.

作者: 木子兔媽媽 時間: 14-6-10 01:56 標題: 回覆：jolalee 的帖子

Thanks!

作者: BerniceTang 時間: 14-6-10 23:04

本帖最後由 BerniceTang 於 14-6-13 01:33 編輯

木子兔媽

作者: Birkin 時間: 14-6-27 12:22 標題: 回覆：ESF hillside k1

Our son just got an offer from Hillside for K1 afternoon class but it clashes with his other offer from KCIS (also afternoon class). ESF just revised their policy again and all ESF kinder students will now enjoy priority interview at ESF primary schools. KCIS is "through train" all the way up to secondary school. How should we choose? Any comments will be appreciated. Thanks.

作者: 木子兔媽媽 時間: 14-6-27 13:18 標題: 回覆：Birkin 的帖子

For my case, my girl got Entry Waitlist for hillside (she did badly on the play visit that day), got KCIS am (previously pm) and ICS offer. Of counts you can be a tiger mum to ask KCIS Anita to swap am class with you (I might drop that later!). If you really want to choose one, then see if KCIS guarantee through train to primary or you like ESF primary that matters

作者: jolalee 時間: 14-6-28 01:27

回覆木子兔媽媽的帖子

ESF KG suddenly getting priority to ESF primary interview again probably come as a great surprise to many parents, especially those who may have received the offer in the first place but have declined it due to the lack of priority back then. Were they able to "reinstate" the declined offer? I think it'd be unfair for them if they can't....

作者: FattyDaddy 時間: 14-6-28 01:33

jolalee 發表於 14-6-28 01:27
Were they able to "reinstate" the declined offer? I think it'd be unfair for them if they can't....

Probably not, but then those who declined would only do that if they had better offers from other places, so they may feel a bit let down but not necessarily unhappy :)

作者: jolalee 時間: 14-6-28 01:46

回覆 FattyDaddy 的帖子

Hm, that's the question. "Better offer" usually includes through-train.
Any decent through-train schools like the ones mentioned on these posts are a better offer than ESF KG without interview priority. However, ESF KG with primary interview priority train is possibly a better offer than those same schools. So i still think ESF screws those parents over. Not my problem i feel it is unfair for them!!

作者: vivicui 時間: 14-6-28 11:52 標題: 回覆：ESF hillside k1

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作者: Birkin 時間: 14-6-28 14:01 標題: 回覆：ESF hillside k1

It seems to me ESF cannot make up their mind whether or not to give priority to ESF kindergarten students (or why they wanted to cancel it in the first place) or how high that priority should be, which is quite unsettling for many existing and prospective ESF kindergarten parents

作者: FattyDaddy 時間: 14-6-28 14:44

Birkin 發表於 14-6-28 14:01
quite unsettling for many existing and prospective ESF kindergarten parents...

Existing ESF kindergarten parents with children applying for primary school this September are unaffected, they were promised priority right from the beginning and they were supposed to be the last batch to enjoy it.

For prospective parents who have accepted offers and all set to have their children start K1 this August, the latest changes could only be good news. Those who had offers but declined because they got other offers may or may not be unhappy, depending on whether ESF kindergarten plus priority is still considered better than what they have accepted.

One thing for sure, ESF's phone lines will probably be very busy next week.

作者: 木子兔媽媽 時間: 14-6-30 00:08 標題: 回覆：FattyDaddy 的帖子

No. Because the last school day of ESF KG has gone! That's the date I received their email telling me my girl is in Entry Waitlist.

作者: FattyDaddy 時間: 14-6-30 03:55

木子兔媽媽發表於 14-6-30 00:08
my girl is in Entry Waitlist ...

So ESF's latest policy change is to your disadvantage, because ESF kindergartens have become attractive again and people who have offers are less likely to decline, which means those on the waiting list have lower chances.

But you already have a firm offer from ICS so no worries. I'm not a religious person, but may be this is God's way of telling you to send your child to a Christian school.

作者: alicebear 時間: 14-7-12 01:55 標題: 引用：Quote:木子兔媽媽+發表於+14-6-6+18:28+Tha

原帖由 jolalee 於 14-06-06 發表
Always heard very good comments about Hillside. Met an ESF Hillside teacher once and she was great; ...

Hi jolalee, i am planning to apply for K1 for my child. do u think hillside campus is relatively difficult to get in when comparing with WKS or TY? Simply because of the difference in intake number or other reasons? Also, are hillside students mostly foreigners like at the Abacus? Thanks for sharing!

作者: jolalee 時間: 14-7-12 12:36

回覆 alicebear 的帖子

Yes, given ESF primary interview priority is reinstated, it will be impossible again to get into ESF hillside. From what I heard, the foreigner ratio is high.

作者: 木子兔媽媽 時間: 14-7-22 11:16 標題: 回覆：ESF hillside k1

Out of my expectation, just received call from hillside to give k1 pm offer. Need to reply by pm

作者: HC-Mum 時間: 14-7-22 12:06

Congratulations!! What will be your decision! Its tough for you as I guess ESF is much closer to your home !

作者: 木子兔媽媽 時間: 14-7-22 12:13

Yes HC-Mum. The very tough decision has to be made today.

作者: 木子兔媽媽 時間: 14-7-22 14:30

We will give up Hillside. This morning they asked me to reply as soon as possible and suggested to reply today pm. I have to make up my mind ASAP and finally we decided to continue ICS. Now it is 2pm and I phoned actively to tell them our decision of giving up. The answering staff kept saying the responsible staff was off this afternoon. When I left my daughter's name and starting to tell them my contact number (before I told them I would like to decline the offer), they gave a blunt reply in Cantonese saying they had already got my contact in the application form and not going the conversation further. I must admit that my oral English is not really good but this is not really a good experience to me.

作者: FattyDaddy 時間: 14-7-22 15:19

木子兔媽媽發表於 14-7-22 14:30
not really a good experience to me ...

Never mind, you won't be joining them anyway. Even if your message doesn't get to the staff who is responsible, a non-reply is usually taken as a no, and they could always call you to confirm if they are unsure. You should only feel bad if you want to accept their offer but couldn't get through :)

作者: 木子兔媽媽 時間: 14-7-22 17:19 標題: 回覆：FattyDaddy 的帖子

Maybe I expect too much, or I am too tradition as a Chinese who put politeness a bit too top priority.

作者: 木子兔媽媽 時間: 14-7-25 14:11

http://www.edu-kingdom.com/forum ... &extra=page%3D1

作者: ngngachun 時間: 14-7-26 23:15

I have a son who are going to repeat in a local kindergarten in K1. Luckily, we suddenly got a call from Hillside ESF and told us there is a K2 offer given to my son. We are glad to have a seat in Hillside ESF. However, we are now worry about his primary study. It is because students in international kindergarten should start apply for primary school in coming september, But for my son, it is only a starting time in Hillside. Is there any parents can share their idea or their experience on such case. And is there anyone know whether the school have K3 class for the students who are not success to find an international school for their primary study. Besides, if once we cannot find an primary internationl school this year, is there anyone know the chance of repeat K2 to apply for the primary IS on the next year. Or is there any other choice for the students who cannot enter IS at last?.

Moreover, may I know the details of Hillside ESF K1 and K2 study. I mean the acedamic level in K1 and K2.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

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