ICHK Secondary

ICHK’s annual Celebration of Learning took place this week, showcasing the ingenuity, creativity, and resourcefulness of our students.

Parents joined us to explore some of the work their children have been engaged in throughout the year and to gain a deeper understanding of teaching and learning at our school.

A balanced programme of parent talks, student presentations, and immersive activity sessions offered an engaging and comprehensive insight into our educational approach.

The student presentations provided a valuable platform for learners to share self-selected work and reflect on their progress. It was a privilege to see them discuss their learning with such maturity, quiet confidence, and enthusiasm.

Above all, the event reflected the strength of our community coming together in support of the growth and development of young people. It was a powerful reminder of our shared commitment to nurturing every learner's progress over time and ensuring that their best interests remain at the heart of all we do.

Another fantastic week of Deep Learning has been completed. It has been a magnificent, exhausting, and deeply rewarding four days that perfectly encapsulated what we mean when we talk about the "epistemic apprenticeship" at ICHK Secondary.

Students pushed past the boundaries of the classroom to explore, delve into, and inhabit our curriculum in vivid detail. A vibrant menu of 21 units was on offer, spanning the Arts, Humanities, Science, and Sport. Students travelled to all corners of the city, meeting new people, gathering a vast repository of knowledge, and navigating dynamic and shifting environments.

The core principle underpinning Deep Learning is the cultivation of transferable, 21st-century skills: critical thinking, complex problem-solving, communication, and planning. It is about learning to work under pressure with teamwork, agility, and good humour. By encouraging our students to be challenged through new experiences within inspiring, safe-fail environments, they find themselves energised, tested and surprised in equal measure.

Exams and academic metrics are important, and we do them exceptionally well. But the ultimate question we ask our young people is: Who are you on a day-to-day basis? This week, our students provided a resounding answer. They proved that they do not merely “play" at being positive, pro-social collaborators or problem-solvers; they inhabit it.

They show the commitment to personal growth, the courage to face discomfort and uncertainty, and the generous support of and for their peers that sits at the absolute heart of the ICHK identity.

Students have been learning about ecosystems in the spectacular natural surroundings of our school.

Our unique location provides unrivalled opportunities for authentic outdoor learning, enabling students to connect directly with nature. Fieldwork and scientific investigations regularly take place beyond the classroom, bringing learning to life in meaningful and memorable ways.

Students explore the nearby mangroves, witness species in their natural habitats, and learn about the importance of the ecosystems both to humans and to the environment.

When students are actively engaged in their learning, they are more likely to develop a genuine love of learning and a lifelong curiosity about the world around them.

This week Year 8s moved outdoors to collect materials for a mesocosm, developing a hands-on understanding of how the different components of an ecosystem interact and depend on one another.

At ICHK, outdoor learning is central to our philosophy and woven into the fabric of the curriculum. We have long recognised the tremendous benefits that it brings to students' holistic development, and take pride in being at the forefront of outdoor education in Hong Kong.

ICHK’s acclaimed Outdoor Learning curriculum is crafted to cultivate our students' personal growth, complement their classroom experiences, and nurture a deep appreciation for the heritage and natural environment of Hong Kong.

It begins with students' arrival in Year 7 and continues as they progress through school. A demanding and rewarding variety of experiences and challenges builds year on year, with students steadily developing key skills of self-regulation, collaboration, perseverance, and problem solving in a dynamic, shifting environment.

A key moment is the Year 9 Rite of Passage, which allows students to reflect on their growth in school and in life, before the next step of their educational journey.

During the event, students crossed the boundary into the Sha Tau Kok Frontier Closed Area, journeying into Lai Chi Wo and Miu Tsz Lam. They planted native trees and coffee plants, symbolising growth and new beginnings.

Many tagged their trees and plants with personal words of encouragement, marking their own understanding of what it means to grow and learn.

It was more than a school trip; it was a positive contribution to the natural environment and the chance to reflect on their experiences and transition with the right mindset into the next chapter of their ICHK story.

Students will return to see the growth sparked by their hard work, and it is our hope that they return in years to come, to share their story and show their families where their roots were planted.

Year 7 students are enjoying marine life exploration days, as part of our innovative and award winning outdoor learning programme.

Students are spending a day at Hoi Ha Beach, learning about mangroves, coral and fish species and the importance of ecosystems both to humans and to the environment.

They are being taught how to snorkel, and about water safety and risks and hazards at the beach, learning how to take care of themselves and others when outdoors.

The excursions have been designed by our team of outdoor educators, who provide students with a diverse range of learning opportunities.

Our unique outdoor learning programme has won acclaim and been shared extensively at global conferences. It brings tremendous benefits to our students' holistic development, whilst fostering resilience, teamwork, and a deep connection to the natural world.

To find out more visit www.ichk.edu.hk

A wonderful rite of passage has been marked by Year 9 students.

A day of service and celebration was staged as part of a symbolic journey into Year 10.

The event involved students contributing to our wider community and the environment through farming activities and the planting of a grove of native-trees in Lai Chi Wo.

Students needed to collaborate, show leadership, initiative, problem solving and communication skills, good humour and perseverance – all the characteristics we aim to develop at ICHK.

The day allowed them to reflect on their experiences, celebrate achievements, and transition with the right mindset into the next chapter of their ICHK story.

As a school, we believe in the transformative power and essential hallmarks of rites of passage and introduce them to students to meaningfully mark turning points in their lives; supporting them as they make the journey from childhood to adulthood.

Well done to all the students and we thank all the staff members who were involved in the day.

We are delighted that ICHK has been shortlisted for another teaching and learning award.

We are a finalist in the inaugural Little Steps Asia Education Awards 2026/2027 in the category of Curriculum Initiative. We have been chosen for our unique and acclaimed approaches to learning through Curriculum X and the series of innovative learning experiences that we have developed in recent years.

The Award is decided by public vote. If you would like to support us, you can do so by voting at https://www.littlestepsasia.com/hong-kong/learn/education-awards/vote-education-awards-asia/

Thank you for your support.

Vote Now: Little Steps Asia Education Awards 2026/2027 (Hong Kong) Community voting is now open for the Little Steps Asia Education Awards 2026/2027! Support your favourite Hong Kong international schools until 1 June 2026. Every vote enters you into a draw to win a 3-night luxury family stay in Vietnam. Vote now!

We are looking forward to welcoming learners and parents to our Summits admissions morning on Saturday.

Our new three year programme for 18-25 year olds with diverse learning needs will begin in September.

An admissions event will be held at ICHK Secondary on Saturday 9th May from 10am-12 noon. There will be opportunities to speak with our experienced team of educators and find out more about the programme. Learners will be able to join fun, group activities in a relaxed environment.

Please come along and join us to find out more or share the details with anyone who may be interested.

To find out more about the programme and to apply visit www.ichksummits.com

ICHK Summits is hiring.

We are seeking an Instructional Assistant, to support our new work skills programme for young adults with diverse learning needs.

The three year programme is aimed at bridging the gap between education and adulthood, offering participants internships, mentoring and targeted social skills training. It will run from a non-profit learning space and social enterprise in Central from September.

The role offers a unique opportunity to be a part of the ICHK community and support the work we are doing to prepare neurodivergent young people for adulthood and the world of work.

We believe that every young person is capable of extraordinary things — when given the right environment, tools, and people around them.

To find out more about visit https://www.ichk.edu.hk/join/working-with-us

Applications for ICHK Summits are open.

Our new three year programme for 18-25 year olds with diverse learning needs will begin in September.

Learners will benefit from:

• Practical Exposure: Job observations and a mix of internships.
• Dedicated Guidance: One-on-one mentoring and job coaching.
• Social Growth: Targeted social skills training.

To find out and to apply visit

www.ichksummits.com