Dear Parents,
Last week the Secondary campus undertook a three-day external IB reevaluation visit. This involved the evaluation team observing lessons, meeting with leaders, teachers, parents and students. Thank you to all involved in this developmental process, the IB team were highly impressed and gave constructive feedback to support our planning for the next five years. It was wonderful to welcome over 200 families onto campus on Saturday, thank you to all students who supported Open Day and showcased the very best of NAISHK!
Celebrate Students – Y8
It has been a fantastic start to Year 8, with students returning from the summer break enthusiastically and excited. Our year group has grown so much over the last year and into this year, with over 30 new students joining us from all over Hong Kong. As our students have joined new forms this year it gives them the opportunity to thrive in new settings and classes with new people.
Our Year 8s have been diving back into their studies with renewed drive as they settle into the year. In the six weeks of the autumn term, our students have already been involved in several extracurricular activities and have been achieving incredibly high standards with the P.E. and Performing Arts teams.
As the school begins work on the core values, Year 8s and their opinions have been instrumental in shaping and defining what that means to them. Our student representatives will continue to work with staff and their forms to shape what they want to see in the values they represent.
Overall, this has been an amazing start to Year 8!!!
IB Student Take-over by Dylan S. (Y12)
Me as a Knower
As a knower, my knowledge derives from various aspects of my personal life, with influences from a wide range of people, technology and books. Perspective is shaped differently for everyone, which deeply impacts how different people think about any topic or subject. As a thinker, new ideas or factors can distort my views towards it, but beliefs may bring more thoughts and produce a counterargument or retaliation for the topic.
The area of knowledge mainly sources my current knowledge and understanding. An example is the natural sciences, which aims to acquire knowledge about the natural world. Although most scientific knowledge is from language (such as books or a teacher’s word) and is second-hand, we are made to trust the information they give. This not only teaches us the science behind both manmade and natural processes or items (e.g. the central nervous system, medication, different forces acting upon us at this very moment), but also whether we should believe everything we are told. Personally, natural sciences have given me countless insights on how the world’s cogs and gears turn, such as how the body functions and reacts to external variables like an increase in temperature.
Another area of knowledge is the arts, which is typically regarded as a harder area to define since everyone has different views of what they classify as art. Art includes more than just visual arts like paintings, incorporating drama, literature, dance and more, further expanding the question of what art truly is. For instance, looking at visual arts specifically, styles and movements of art are extremely diverse, ranging from Pablo Picasso and his cubism movement to Gustave Courbet and his realism movement. Art has revealed how emotions can be expressed, the questionability of morality, and that art isn’t purely about aesthetics alone.
Music helps to complete my understanding as a knower. I believe music is one of the largest contributors in bringing people together, with different genres and types of music invoking various effects or emotions. Taking the genre of pop as an example, a category which normally has a catchy melody and puts heavy emphasis on the rhythm. Famous icons such as Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley and Elton John fall under this category, and their music is generally danceable and memorable, creating an environment full of joy. Another example is hip-hop, a genre revolving around a strong rhythmic beat, rhyme and rap. The general objective of hip-hop is to express stories or past experiences in the artist’s own way, tell a message and share their complex lyricism. Legends such as Tupac, The Notorious B.I.G, Jay-Z and Eminem have shaped what the hip-hop and rap world is today, evoke all different types of emotions. Music has sizably added to my understanding of several cultural backgrounds and effects of certain events on people, such as how people lived and survived in the 1900s and the influences of parents. From personal experiences, music boosts happiness and positively affected my ability to think cognitively. In summary, music has transformed my way of thinking, since music has been reliable in developing social connections, playing a part in my judgement of a person and its ability to provide valuable lessons and stay humble.
What is TOK
The ‘Theory of Knowledge’ Programme in the IB Diploma
The following questions and answers aim shed more light on a key part of the Core of the IB Diploma programme at NAIS Hong Kong.
What is TOK and how does it fit into the IB Diploma?
Theory of knowledge (TOK) plays a special role in the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP), by providing an opportunity for students to reflect on the nature of knowledge, and on how we know what we claim to know.
It is one of the components of the DP core and is mandatory for all students. The TOK requirement is central to the educational philosophy of the DP.
What are the aims of TOK?
The aims of the TOK course are:
• to encourage students to reflect on the central question, “How do we know that?”, and to recognize the value of asking that question
• to expose students to ambiguity, uncertainty and questions with multiple plausible answers
• to equip students to effectively navigate and make sense of the world, and help prepare them to encounter novel and complex situations
• to encourage students to be more aware of their own perspectives and to reflect critically on their own beliefs and assumptions
• to engage students with multiple perspectives, foster open-mindedness and develop intercultural understanding
• to encourage students to make connections between academic disciplines by exploring underlying concepts and by identifying similarities and differences in the methods of inquiry used in different areas of knowledge
• to prompt students to consider the importance of values, responsibilities and ethical concerns relating to the production, acquisition, application and communication of knowledge.
How is TOK structured?
As a thoughtful and purposeful inquiry into different ways of knowing, and into different kinds of knowledge, TOK is composed almost entirely of questions.
The most central of these is "How do we know?", while other questions include:
• What counts as evidence for X?
• How do we judge which is the best model of Y?
• What does theory Z mean in the real world?
Through discussions of these and other questions, students gain greater awareness of their personal and ideological assumptions, as well as developing an appreciation of the diversity and richness of cultural perspectives.
How is TOK assessed?
The TOK course is assessed through an exhibition and a 1,600 word essay.
The exhibition requires the students to create an exhibition of three objects that explores how TOK manifests in the world around us.
The essay focuses on a conceptual issue in TOK. For example, it may ask students to discuss the claim that the methodologies used to produce knowledge depend on the use to which that knowledge will be used.
What is the significance of TOK?
TOK makes students aware of the interpretative nature of knowledge, including personal ideological biases – whether these biases are retained, revised or rejected.
It offers students and their teachers the opportunity to:
• reflect critically on diverse ways of knowing and on areas of knowledge
• consider the role and nature of knowledge in their own culture, in the cultures of others and in the wider world.
In addition, TOK prompts students to:
• be aware of themselves as thinkers, encouraging them to become more acquainted with the complexity of knowledge
• recognize the need to act responsibly in an increasingly interconnected but uncertain world.
TOK also provides coherence for the student, by linking academic subject areas as well as transcending them. It therefore demonstrates the ways in which the student can apply their knowledge with greater awareness and credibility.
I hope this has served to give you a flavour on this fantastic course!
Colin Spanos
IB Co-ordinator
(Content from the International Baccalaureate Organisation, 2023)
PE Fixtures and Results
Football and Basketball Trials Reminder
Next Week’s Fixtures
Monday 30th September
U16 Netball vs KSHK
Wednesday 2nd October
HKSSF Swimming Finals @ Kowloon Park Swimming Pool
U16 Girls Volleyball vs ICHK & CDNIS
Match Reports
Monday 23rd September
In a relentless downpour, NAISHK U14 Boys Football Team faced off against YMCA, where goals poured down on the opposition as heavily as the rain. Battling through tough conditions, the boys secured a commanding 8-0 victory. Despite the pitch resembling a swamp in patches, their impeccable passing range, adept one and two-touch control, and sharp shooting prowess were on full display. Julian led the charge with 5 goals, while Owen, Yannis, and Ronan each added one to the tally.
The U16 Netball team played MCHK in a very tight match on Monday. There were lots of turnover of play, but in the end our shooters, Larisa, Maya and Captain Immie’s consistency meant that we pulled away from MCHK. Final score being 15-4 to the Knights. We have only 3 matches left of the division games before finding out if we have made the finals. Next match is against Kellet on Monday 30th September.
Tuesday 24th September
U14 Girls Volleyball team went to SIS to play their final league matches against STC and SIS. Their first match against STC started with a few mistakes on court with a mismatch of communication. However, after STC gained a couple of points lead the girls switched up their play, moving around on court and increasing their communication between their front and back lines. This proved successful as they went on to beat STC 2 – 0.
In the second and final league match against SIS the girls won their first set comfortably, however SIS came back to win the second set and force our team to make a few errors costing them that set. We went on to a third set decider, which was extremely close where each team kept edging ahead and losing a point. However, with sheer grit and determination the girls went on to win the final set and thereby winning the match 2 – 1. They currently are sitting at the top of the group table; however, we need to wait till the rest of the schools have completed their league games to see if we make it through to the finals. Go Knights!
The U14 boys travelled to HKA for a double header against WIS and HKA. Some very improved play from earlier in the season saw players take greater responsibility and produce more thoughtful and skilled play, especially at the front of the court. A team that once relied upon winning by serves alone, is now producing all round displays that will pose a threat to any opposition. The team won both their matches and look forward to the next ones. Go Knights.
Wednesday 25th September
From the whistle at the start of the first set, the U16 Girl’s Volleyball squad dominated the games against both SIS and Stamford American, defeating both teams 2-0. As a team they have progressed tremendously over the last 6 weeks, executing 3 hit combos and delivering some powerful spikes and serves. Alyssa and Maya were MVP’s of the day, with Alyssa delivering 15 aces off the serve and Maya setting up some excellent spiking opportunities throughout. Gooooooo Knights!
HKSSF Swimming Meet
Members of the Knights Swim Squad went to Kowloon Park Swimming pool for the qualifying round of the HKSSF Swimming Competition. It was the first time some of the squad had been part of this competition and representing the school team. Each member of the squad put their heart and soul into their events and pushed themselves to get the best times possible. There were a lot of fast swimmers from other schools there, but our students did themselves proud.
New to the team this year, Lee C H beat his time trials time in the 50m Butterfly by 3 seconds. Both Aayush D and Oliver H dropped their 50m breaststroke times by 1 second. Both Leo B and Rigel L dropped their 100m freestyle time by 3 seconds. Brandon L and Noah R improved their 50m backstroke times by 2 seconds. Michael R swam so well, but unfortunately in both his individual events he missed out on the finals by hundredths of a second. He still goes on to represent the squad as part of the Grade C boys freestyle relay team.
Overall Results from the competition
Grade B Boys 1st overall (out of 37 schools)
Grade C Boys 3rd overall (out of 34 schools)
Grade C & B boys combined 2nd overall (out of 44 schools)
Qualified for the finals
Grade C Girls
Charlotte H – 50m & 100m Freestyle
Grade C Boys
Brandon L – 50m Backstroke
4 x 50m Medley Relay
4 x 50m Freestyle Relay
Grade B Girls
Karin L – 50m Backstroke & 200m IM
Grade B Boys
Jake D – 100m Breastroke
Maxim H – 50m Butterfly & 200m IM
Efe D – 50m & 100m Backstroke
Noah R – 100m Backstroke
4 x 50m Medley Relay
4 x 50m Freestyle Relay
On Wednesday the U14 boys played against HKA in a rearranged fixture owing to Typhoon Yagi. The team knowing that they have a strong chance of qualifying for the finals got off to a ferocious start. Within 10 secs and immediately pressing the HKA defence, Edwin scored to make the game 1-0. Shortly after another goal had the hosts disheartened owing to the intensity of the play in winning the ball high up the pitch. Some moments in lacking concentration saw HKA score twice, with the half time score being 4-2 in our favour. The half time team talk centred upon discipline and concentration in defence and extending our advantage especially as goal difference may decide who qualifies for the final. The second half saw some excellent attacking play and improved composure at the back. Some well-constructed team goals and a thunderous strike from distance saw the final scoreline end 10-3 to our Knights. With one game to play in the league - the finals are within touching distance. We wait with bated breath to see how our closest rivals perform in their remaining games.
Looking Ahead
Tuesday 1st October – Public Holiday
Friday 11th October – Public Holiday
Monday 14th – Friday 18th October – Half Term Break
Best regards,
Fiona Thorndike
Head of Secondary
