Dear Parents,
We started the weekend on a high following the performances of our Year 10-13 production, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. I absolutely love the theatre and was incredibly impressed by our students’ rendition! Who needs the West End when there is such talent right here at NAIS Hong Kong? My appreciation to the Drama department, led by Mr. Guy Naylor for directing this spectacular showcase. Well done also to all the cast for their dedication and professionalism and thank you to the many families and friends in the audience for all your support.
This week we welcome lead facilitators from Juilliard at Kwun Tong. Nick and Andrea will be working with our Performing Arts team to provide a series of exciting workshops for our students, whilst offering our excellent team professional development opportunities. We welcome them warmly to our campus and look forward to seeing their work in action over the coming days.
The Secondary campus is preparing for Chinese New Year, and we are excited for the upcoming CNY assembly. Please encourage your child to wear red, gold or traditional dress as we celebrate on Friday 24th January! Thank you to the Parent Teacher Association for organising the lion dance; it is always a highlight of the school year.
Secondary Extra Curricular Activities (ECAs)
The commencement of our Secondary ECA rotation will begin after Chinese New Year. Both secondary and sports ECAs will start on the 3rd February but will finish on different dates:
The sign-up period to both types of ECA will close on Tuesday, 21st January at 11:59 pm. Following the closure of sign-ups, allocations will be shared with parents later in the week.
To facilitate the sign-up process, students can register themselves via SchoolsBuddy. For parents who wish to sign up on behalf of their child, please access your parental Firefly account. Please remember to carefully follow the instructions on the Firefly page and ensure they confirm their selections before submission.
To select ECAs for your child, please access your parental NAIS SchoolsBuddy account through Firefly. If you require assistance with your Firefly login details, please contact itsupport@nais.hk.
Here are the steps for selecting ECAs:
First-time users will need to click on the "Authorise app" before being directed to the NAIS SchoolsBuddy homepage.
We recommend completing this process on a laptop or desktop for optimal experience. Supported browsers include Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge.
Should you have any queries or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out via email to kwuntongadminoffice@nais.hk.
MUN – Rylan H.
Last weekend, NAIS sent a delegation to Island School Model United Nations (ISLMUN) and demonstrated their debating and chairing abilities at a 200-person conference, combining schools from across Hong Kong. With delegates in the General Assembly, Economic and Social Council, Office on Drugs and Crime, Historical United States Senate, International Criminal Court, International Diplomacy and Intelligence Committee, and House of Commons, they focused on a wide range of topics, combining comprehensive research and powerful rhetoric.
We’d like to give special congratulations to Rylan in Y13 for winning the Best Delegate award in the House of Commons, Arianna in Y12 for serving as the Head Chair of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, Sahana in Y11 for winning the Most Improved award in the Historical United States Senate, and Nia in Y10 for winning an Honourable Mention in the International Criminal Court.
Click here for a video of our experience at the conference!
Upcoming CNY Celebrations – Carrie Quan and team
We are delighted to announce the upcoming 2025 NAIS Hong Kong Chinese New Year Festival Assembly, set for 24th January, 2025. This vibrant event will celebrate the rich traditions of the Chinese New Year, welcoming the Year of the Snake, and actively engage all students in various meaningful activities.
The assembly will showcase an array of performances, including traditional Chinese music and a captivating Guzhen performance. Students will serve as MCs, guiding us through the event, which will also feature a medley of songs, an interactive quiz with exciting prizes, and a lively dance performance. A highlight of the assembly will be the lion dance, a symbol of good fortune and joy.
In addition to the assembly, classrooms will host a series of engaging activities that explore the cultural significance of the New Year. Students will participate in crafting projects, such as creating pencil cases and tote bags, as well as making dumplings and writing spring couplets—time-honored traditions that enrich our celebration. All necessary materials will be provided to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.
We look forward to celebrating this meaningful occasion and deepening our appreciation for cultural heritage together.
Thank you for your continued support and Happy New Year!
Secondary Chinese Department
Year 11 by Caroline Jennings
We are now entering the final stretch toward the IGCSE exams, and our Year 11 students are beginning their countdown to this important milestone. Departments are actively collaborating with specific groups of students to ensure they are well-prepared for their examinations. Additionally, we are utilising form times to explore effective revision techniques and strategies. Weekly assemblies will also be introduced to check in with students and maintain high motivation levels.
This week, our focus will be on helping students create a structured revision plan. We encourage you to explore the following resources to assist both students and parents: Learning Scientists - Weekly Digest #57.
This Wednesday, we will be hosting our IB Pathways Evening. This event is an excellent opportunity for both parents and students to gain a comprehensive overview of the IB program and the options available at NAIS Hong Kong.
During the evening, you will have the chance to speak with heads of departments, ask questions about potential study options, and clarify any queries you may have before making decisions for the upcoming academic year.
We look forward to seeing you there and supporting you in navigating the exciting opportunities that lie ahead!
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to help our students succeed!
PE Updates/Fixtures – Alex Wiltshire
Match reports
Tuesday 14th January
U16 Boys Football
Our U16 boys ended their football season with an away game at top of the table CAIS - a tough game was anticipated. The first half saw our team match them pass for pass, tackle for tackle and run for run. Only two errors were made, but unfortunately, CAIS took advantage. Undeterred, the boys once more took the game to our talented hosts. It didn’t take long for our efforts to be rewarded and the scoreline changed to 2-1 to CAIS. For the next 20 minutes, our team looked likely to get an equaliser, testing the CAIS goalkeeper many times. As we pushed for the equaliser late on, CAIS were able to capitalise on the space and extended their lead to 3-1. This is how the game ended. It was easily the most complete performance from the team - some very mature play with and without the ball and the kind of determination we want the young people in our school to show.
U20 Basketball
The NAIS U20 boys' basketball team delivered a stellar performance in their final match against Harrow, securing a decisive victory with a final score of 53-31.
From the outset, the NAIS team established their dominance on the court, showcasing strong teamwork and strategic plays. In the first quarter, the boys jumped to an early lead, scoring 13 points while holding Harrow to just 2. The defence proved to be a crucial asset, effectively limiting Harrow’s opportunities to penetrate and score.
As the game progressed, NAIS maintained their offensive momentum. By halftime, the score stood at 24-8 in favour of NAIS.
In the final quarter, the NAIS boys showcased their depth, with contributions from the entire roster. The team executed their plays with precision, closing out the game with a commanding lead and securing the victory at 53-31.
Thursday 16th January
U16 Girls Football
The U16 Girls football team triumphed over Kellett School with a score of 4-2, securing a place in the ISSFHK Division 2 finals. In the first half, the team faced defensive challenges, with communication errors leading to the team dropping back further in defence. With additional difficulties in maintaining offensive momentum against Kellett's pace, the girls struggled to counter, and the halftime score was 1-1. However, due to illness and injury the girls were playing out of position. With a strategic rearrangement and team talk focusing on pressing and closing down space, the girls were quickly revitalised and sprang into action. They regained their rhythm and played exceptionally well across the pitch in the second half, dominating possession throughout, claiming 3 additional goals to Kellett’s 1. We wish them the best of luck in the upcoming finals. Gooooo Knights!
Friday 17th January
ISSFHK Cross Country Championships
We took 30 students to the Championships being held in Tai Lam Country Park on Friday. The weather was perfect for some distance running, sun out, temperature not too high. This year had the most competitors running the event. Every race and age group had over 100 competitors, so these races were hard fought for the top places. Our students had listened to the guidance about not running off fast too early, run at their pace and leave energy for the finish as it is on a slope. Watching at the finish all our students dug in and chased runners down on the slope to get a better time at the finish. We were all extremely proud of each and every one of our team. They showed resilience and determination; values we hold in high regards as NAIS Knights!
Futures Updates – Kirsten Smit
The Futures projects have got off to an incredible start with 7A’s bake sale! The students arranged to have a range of sweet treats and drinks available for students to purchase. They raised an incredible amount of HK$ 5237.40 for Drop of Life which will have a wonderful impact on the work that they do. Well done 7A!
KS4 and KS5 Performance – Guy Naylor
Last week saw two phenomenal nights of performances from our KS4 and KS5 Drama Company who performed The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. Thank you to all our students, staff and members of the parent community who came and supported. The actors and I want to thank you for your continued support of the performing arts at NAIS Hong Kong. I am so proud of the students in this play – they created something that was relevant, mature, creative and thought provoking. We have had some lovely feedback from our audiences, and although we are all sad it is over, we can relish in the knowledge that the performances really achieved what we hoped.
If Curious got you excited for Drama at NAIS Hong Kong, please remember our next production – Directed by Miss Cocker and Miss Skibsted is being performed in March. Please see the poster below details, don’t forget to save the date!
Looking Ahead
Wishing you all a happy and prosperous Year of the Snake. Kung Hei Fat Choy! 恭喜發財!
Fiona Thorndike
Head of Secondary
