Phoenix

Vrindavan

>>will have over half

No , i do not expect so high level.

I just wish there are a few or even only one
in each class.

But i suspect it is not so

Consider a sport race,
all participants are local Chinese,
even you argue the format is 100% international standard.

Can we say that it is still an international sport race?

gracemama123

I believe different parents have different standard & point of view.  However, my personal observation is that the English standard of Phoenix is okay compare to other int'l schools.  
We cannot avoid children communicate in Chinese after school hours, but don't forget it also happen in other int'l school (say HKIS, CIS).
Why parents choose this school for their kid would not simply because if there is any native speaker children or not, it is the combination of all factors.

WYmom

I know kids studying in Phoenix, and they talk like native English kids.  I also see some western kids in the school, though not many.  I like the philosoply of the school, the way they teach English and Chinese, as they will cater for needs of kids by using different programs and different levels (such as in teaching Chinese to other Asians).  I think the culture, the quality and faculties of the school are the determining factor in choosing a school, rather than just the English teaching.  The school teaches kids to be "global", that's the international spirit I expect my kid to learn.

Ruby1219

Vrindavan,

I think we should not regard a school int'l or not by the no. of foreigners. It's the educational philosophy/ style and the medium of teaching (English) that define the school an int'l one. Nevertheless, Phoenix is regarded by the HK gov't and the international universities as an int'l school. You can't dispute on this. Exactly as you said, even if you term a school int'l or not by the no. of foreign students, does it mean that a school with one foreign student in each class can be considered as int'l ? Who and how to define the benchmark ? I really can't understand or appreciate this logic.

Ruby

Ruby1219

WYmom,

I totally agree with you ! I would judge the school by their vision and philosophy, their culture and discipline. I want my son to learn in a happy and open-minded manner, also, in a global scope. That's why I like Phoenix with IB system. IB is not confined to one country, under it, the school needs to teach the kids about different cultures of different regions. As such, I think it will definitely open the eyes and scope of the kids, develop for them a curious, "challenging" & "exploration" mentality that would be very very useful for their whole life.
This is the insight I developed from what I experience in my work.

Ruby

Vrindavan

>>does it mean that a school with one foreign student in each class can be considered as int'l ?

i am sorry that you do not understand what i am saying.

i mentioned extremely low percentage or may be even none of native English speaking kids is just a fact for some international schools in HK.

No where did i say i use this as the ONLY yarkstick to define a school is international or not.

But it is very natural for an international school to have more international students. Is that right ?

WYmom

Ruby1219,

Agree with you.  Just wonder what's your view on Victoria Primary?  They also use IB and teach mostly local kids, with a balance of 50/50 Chinese and English. They will have secondary school soon.  Besides, they allow students to join the secondary allotment system while Phoenix does not have. Which one would you prefer?

Vrindavan

should consider the school location compared to where you live

Ruby1219

WYmom,

Honestly, I know nothing about Victoria. I'd never considered it as I was living in the Kowloon side before and now living in Ma On Shan.

Phoenix said they will start the IB system for their secondary once their primary is authorized. In such case, it should be able to meet my son's schedule, i.e. by the time he enters secondary, I guess Phoenix secondary should be using IB ? Of course, this is assuming that they will be successfully acquire the IB authorization "on schedule".

How old is your kid ? Sounds like he/she is not going to enter primary in 2005, right ?

Ruby

WYmom

Ruby1219,

I am considering International primary for my elder kid who is already studying in local primary.  If you are living in MOS, Phoenix fits you best.

For me, the existing Phoenix at Cheung Sha Wan is nearer, but MOS is quite far.  I also consider Kingston, but they don't have secondary.  Bauhia ESF is also moving to MOS, even not, the queue in ESF is very long and it's very difficult to get a place.

Ruby1219

WYmom,

i c. if you are really keen on int'l school, i think you should anyway get in the waiting list of ESF, you can apply for Bauhinia first, got accepted and they will transfer you to the nearest school after the move. and, I think Kingston can be a choice for you then, is it easier to get in ? how about Yew Chung ? it's located in Kowloon Tong and have a well balance of English/Chinese. just the school fee is very expensive.

Ruby

gracemama123

WYmom,Ruby1219.
I also appliedfor Bauhinia, but the waiting list is looooong. As for Kingston, they claimed that 2005 P.1 is full, any further application is also considered as waiting list.  You can call them and give you the name & contact.  Once they have clear picture on the p.1,they will call you. This is what I have done.  

WYmom

Ruby1219,

Thanks for your advice.
I have applied for Bauhinia already, waiting list as usual.  Kingston, not easy to get in, they said they seldom accept students in between, and I don't want to search for secondary again after only 2 years.  Yew Chung, too expensive la.  I will apply Phoenix and see if they accept my kid.  It's more and more difficult to change when the kid studies further to higher grade.

gracemama123

WYmom and Ruby1219.

Since Kingston do not have secondary school, they started to build their connection to other secondary school.  I understand they also recommend Phoenix for parents.  This was what they communicated in the parent conference.  

MomMom

deleted!

MomMom

WYmom,

As you say, your kid will attend secondary 2 years later. So he will apply year 5 of Int'l primary in 2005 & he is now 8 years old. Right?

For your reference, Yew Chung is now building his new secondary school in Kowloon Tong and it expected to be finished 2 years later. Then their school fee will be reduced for around 30% i.e around 9k+. At that moment, it will not be a big difference with ESF. My daughter just changed to Yew Chung Yr.6 in Jan 05 from a local school.

WYmom

MomMom,

You are right, my girl is 8.  Thanks for your useful info.  I will consider then.

gracemama123

Mom Mom
Do you know where will be the new campus?  I just under the impression that for new school, usually the school fee will increase because of their new facilities.(correct me if I am wrong).  

Ruby1219

Vrindavan

No, we are just on the waiting list.
And the personnels of SJS said our chance of getting an interview in the 1st or 2nd round will be very slim. We might need to wait until my son is already in P.1. In fact, my husband and I both feel that Phoenix might be even better (to us) than SJS. As we want more Chinese lessons and we live in Ma On Shan, their new campus is a big attraction to us too (not only transport, but the good infrastructure of the school).

How about you ? Is your kid also entering P.1 this Sept ? Which schools did you apply ? How's the status so far ?

Ruby

3T-MaMa

Could anyone please tell what is the current school fees for Phoenix?