HKIS R1-12 Co-Curricular Philosophy Statement
Beliefs: Co-curricular
HKIS believes co-curricular activities are integral to the total education experience for students. The co-curricular program supports the actualization of the school’s mission, vision and student learning results (SLRs). Co-curricular activities provide opportunities for students to explore and pursue areas of interest in diverse environments, promoting the development of both collaborative and individual knowledge and skills. These experiences, when pursued appropriately, promote the fulfillment of a healthy and balanced life.
Long-term transfer goals: Students will independently use their learning in co-curricular programs to:
- Maintain an active and healthy lifestyle with a good work-life balance.
- Engage in and enjoy a variety of athletic and non-athletic pursuits and interests.
- Express their creativity in a variety of ways.
- Interact positively with others and contribute constructively and respectfully as a member of a group or team.
- Value and demonstrate good sportsmanship and fair play.
- Recognise and access opportunities for positive risk-taking.
- Give back by volunteering or contributing as a coach or mentor.
Common Agreements: We agree that co-curricular programs have the most positive impact when we follow the agreements below:
- Commitment to a balanced program: We will provide a balanced variety of opportunities, both athletic and non-athletic, to encourage all students to explore their passions and interests.
- Complementary programs: We will provide a variety of opportunities that complement educational programs.
- Alignment/Flow: We will provide a developmentally appropriate progression of experiences and instruction in selected activities, such that skills can be honed and tested in increasingly sophisticated situations: both athletic and non-athletic.
- Student Participation: We will encourage students to engage in a balanced variety of co-curricular programs during their years at HKIS.
- Build community and connectedness: We will provide co-curricular experiences that will foster in students a sense of school spirit, connectedness and pride.
- Lifelong learning: We will provide co-curricular experiences that encourage in students the development of transferable skills, habits and dispositions that will serve them well in their future.
Membership and Participation
In high school, students are offered a wide variety of clubs and activities in which to participate. It is strongly recommended that students choose one or two clubs or activities based on interest, time commitment, and dedication to its cause. Well-balanced and committed participation in co-curricular activities is important, and students are encouraged to remain involved for all four years of high school. Sustained commitment to clubs and activities demonstrates dedication, development of personal interest, and growth as a participant. It is expected that students who sign up as a member of a club or activity follow through with that year long commitment by consistently attending meetings, and participating in events, fundraisers, and contributing ideas.
Club Guidelines
- All clubs must have a faculty advisor to help support and guide the student club leaders. It is the responsibility of the club leaders to effectively communicate with the club advisor.
- All clubs/activities must have regularly scheduled meetings and should take attendance.
- To achieve recognition of club involvement students should attend at least 80% of all meetings/activities.
- There will be an annual audit of each club/activity to evaluate their progress for the year and inform decisions on whether that club will be renewed for the following year.
- Each club should have clearly established protocols for identifying their future leaders.
- It is the responsibility of current and incoming club leaders to ensure all club renewal documentation is submitted by the deadline provided by ExCo.
Leadership Opportunities
Students who have demonstrated dedication and passion for a club or activity, can apply for a leadership position. As an aspiring leader, a Leadership Retreat is held twice a year (in the Fall and the Spring) where students learn to organize meetings, events, fundraisers, and learn skills that focus on working closely with fellow students, faculty members, and the community. This requires a huge time commitment and initiative on the part of the student and must be carefully thought through before dedicating to a leadership position. Balancing academics, co-curricular activities, and personal time with family and friends is something that good leadership should model.
It is strongly recommended that students choose only one club or activity to lead, no student may lead more than 3.
High School wide positions of responsibility in SDLT, Ambassadors, ExCo, and Senate are extremely time consuming. As a result, students are only eligible for a leadership position of one. This is counted towards the maximum of 3 clubs or activities for which students may take a leadership position. Additionally, students in a division wide leadership position should carefully consider their participation in senate councils and boards.
Student Leadership Expectations
At HKIS, we believe in providing students with multiple extracurricular opportunities to develop and demonstrate personal character and service to others. Student leaders, in particular, are expected to model the HKIS Mission. Therefore, all elected or appointed student leaders are expected to uphold the highest standards of character, service to others, and exemplary behavior.
Students whose behavior violates our community will be expected to resign from leadership positions. Violations include incidents of cheating or plagiarism, alcohol, tobacco, vaping, drug use, harassment, or stealing.
Students may become eligible to reapply for student leadership positions the following school year.
Club Fundraising Policies and Guidelines
- Student Senate and Service Clubs are the primary fundraising groups. Only in exceptional circumstances (as decided by the Associate Principal for Student Life) will other clubs and activities be given permission to fundraise for equipment, etc.
- Non service clubs can raise funds through participation by volunteering with the PFO at Pumpkinfest and World's Fair every year. Students can also apply for grants from the Booster Club.
- If clubs need money for events, a balance must be kept in designated accounts to provide the financial support necessary to run events during the current or following school year.
- Service clubs seeking to fundraise must first apply to the Seeds of Service Committee, led by the student Senator of Service.
- All requests to host fundraising activities must receive approval from ExCo and from the Associate Principal for Student Life. Applications for fundraising should be submitted at least 3 weeks in advance of the anticipated fundraiser.
- Any donations to clubs are to be made by check where practicable. All checks should be made out to Hong Kong International School Association Limited.
Each class, club or activity’s treasurer is responsible for all funds collected. He/she
will keep accurate records of the organization’s account in consultation with the club advisor and the ExCo Treasurer. The Associate Principal for Student Life will oversee the process. All funds need to be handed into the High School Office for safekeeping immediately after the funds are collected. Withdrawals are made through proper business office procedures and always require the faculty sponsor’s approval. Class, club, or activity money shall not be used for any event not sponsored or approved by the school.
Student Leadership Team
At the time of publishing, the following clubs and activities were in place
| Ambassador Board | |
|---|---|
| Faculty Advisor: | Annalee Higginbottom Todd Pentello |
| Student Leader: |
Eva Roukema, James Looram Lana Muchand, Clair Jun. |
| Description/Selection Process: | |
|
The Ambassador Board serves as the ‘face’ of the High School and is composed of students in Grades 10, 11 and 12. Students in G9 can apply to be an Ambassador in the second Semester, for the following school year. Ambassadors serve the community in 3 main ways:
Students wishing to serve as an Ambassador are welcome to apply when the applications window opens each Spring. |
|
| National Honor Society | |
|---|---|
| Faculty Advisor: | Anna Pfeiffer |
| Student Leader: | Kristy Luk, Jane Poon |
| Description/Selection Process: | |
|
The National Honor Society is the premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. More than just an honor roll, NHS serves to recognize those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since its beginning in 1921. (NASSP) To be eligible for membership, the candidate must be a Grade 10, Grade 11 or Grade 12 student. Grade 9 students are not eligible. Candidates must have been in attendance at HKIS a minimum of two academic semesters. There is one selection period in the fall for eligible students. The selection process shall be as follows:
No quotas or percentages of members per class can be established. Transfer students who arrive to HKIS having already been inducted into NHS shall automatically be a member of the HKIS chapter upon providing a copy of their membership certificate. NHS members who resign or who are dismissed are not eligible to reapply for membership. |
|
| Student Digital Leadership Team (SDLT) | |
|---|---|
| Faculty Advisor: | Daniel Budd Graham Nolan |
| Student Leader: | Daniel Park, Chloe Yoo, Daniel Kim, Michael Hu, Damian Lee |
| Description/Selection Process: | |
| To be eligible for membership, the candidate must be a Grade 9, Grade 10, or Grade 11 student. Interested students may join the apprenticeship program in the fall to be matched with an existing member for a 1:1 mentorship experience. The official application opens during the second semester and all applicants are required to attend evaluative sessions pertaining to each team branch. The selection will be made based on the student’s written responses, demonstrated character and skill, and performance within the apprenticeship program if applicable. Please contact the faculty advisor or student leaders for further details. |
|
EXCO Subcommittees
Academic Advisory Board
Faculty Advisor: Carrie Bennett
Student Leader: Chloe Wu
Activities Council
Faculty Advisor: Andrea Clark
Student Leader: Alexis Chan
Seeds of Service Committee
Faculty Advisor: Edmond Li
Student Leader: Vivian Kahm
SpiritCo
Faculty Advisor: Annalee Higginbottom
Student Leader: Samuel Lee
Culture and Climate Committee
Faculty Advisor: Annalee Higginbottom
Student Leader: Jack Tanas
Clubs
An updated list of all the clubs offered to High School students is released early in each school year, prior to the clubs marketplace. Up to date clubs information is shared through Schoology.
Service Clubs
As befits our school mission to dedicate our minds to inquiry, ‘our hearts to compassion, and our lives to service,’ the High School has a varied selection of service clubs. The Seeds of Service (SOS) program, which started as Service on Saturdays in 1995, aims to engage students who are interested in local and global service to use their resources, knowledge, and passion to positively impact cultures and communities. The program provides opportunities for students to learn about the challenges facing the greater Hong Kong and global society, to assist service agencies in meeting the needs of people,
and to encourage student reflection concerning their role in the building of stronger communities. Through these activities, we hope that students will not only help meet the needs of the underserved within our society but learn to value the benefits that come to all when people serve each other with humility and mutual respect.
Fine/Performing Arts
At HKIS, we seek to develop ‘collaborative, creative, resilient learners’ and our arts
clubs play a significant role in that. Students can pursue their passions in specific areas from continuing to develop and celebrate their visual arts skills through photography or multimedia, to sharing their joy and love of performance through specialized singing and music groups, dance, and even technical theatre. The High School performing arts clubs provide safe spaces beyond the classroom for students to continue to practice and refine their craft, and develop their skills- there is room for everyone.
Publications
For students who express themselves best through the written word and graphic design, our publications clubs and a wonderful creative outlet. They provide opportunities to share reflections, learning and thoughts on current affairs, celebrate Chinese language and culture and, through the Yearbook, serve and learn more about the whole school, Elementary, Middle and High School.
Athletic Clubs
Our Athletic Clubs provide an opportunity for students to keep active and build relationships without having the same level of expected competition as our HKIS athletics teams. Students with an interest in a particular sporting field can connect with peers to learn the rules, develop the skills and apply to friendly games.
Special Interest Clubs
The widest category at HKIS, special interest clubs can include everything from Christian Fellowship to chess, from cookery to debate. Special interest clubs allow every student to find their community. As well as student leaders being incredibly invested in these areas of interest, they are supported by faculty sponsors who are keen to support students in cultivating their love of the subject- and are probably as invested in the experience as the students themselves!
Academic Clubs
HKIS has a strong academic reputation, and academic clubs provide students with the opportunity to extend their interest beyond the classroom in areas they are passionate about. These clubs might allow students to design authentic, real world laboratory inquiries, build robots, apply their public speaking skills, or engage in competition with other schools in Hong Kong, across Asia and beyond.
Booster Club + Dragon Shop
The HKIS Booster Club is a parent run volunteer organization whose mission is to support athletics, extracurricular activities, spread school spirit and maintain the Dragon Shop. The Dragon Shop is your one stop shop for uniforms, school supplies and HKIS themed spirit gear. All profits generated from our Dragon Shop sales return back to our school community in the form of grants and support to our Dragon athletics, arts, student clubs, special projects and spirit events. The money you spend at the Dragon Shop helps fund multiple and diverse initiatives across all four divisions at HKIS, as
our way to ensure that your support helps enhance the educational experiences of all students.
All parents in our community can shop at the Dragon Shop by visiting our store, in person or online, to purchase school uniforms, spirit gear, gift items and school supplies. With the help of over 60 parent volunteers, the Dragon shop sells all HKIS uniforms for Lower Primary, Upper Primary, Middle School and physical education. Our parent shop volunteers are trained to help you find the perfect fit and ensure you have everything you need for the start of school. Our shop is located on the 2nd Floor of the High School Campus at 1 Redhill Road, Tai Tam, across from the High School Cafeteria. For your convenience, we are also available online at https://hkis-dragon-shop.myshopify.com, and you can now also find our uniform sample racks at the Lower and Upper Primary offices with a QR code for easy access link to our online store.
Please visit: https://www.hkis.edu.hk/community/booster-club/dragon-shop to find the HKIS uniform requirements by division and the Booster Club’s Dragon Shop hour. If you would like to volunteer during Booster Club events or at the Dragon Shop, please visit our website at https://www.hkis.edu.hk/community/booster-club/welcome-boosterclub.
Parent Faculty Organisation (PFO)
All HKIS parents, students and faculty are members of the PFO. There is no need to apply.
The PFO’s main purpose is to build a positive community by involving and engaging all parents, students and faculty. In addition, the PFO helps foster positive communication and exchange between school and home. All funds raised through its various activities and events go entirely back to the school, as the PFO is a 100% volunteer run organization.
The PFO organizes many events throughout the school year. New families joining HKIS are integrated into the community with a New Parent Breakfast event in August and a New Parent Welcome Reception in January. New parents are invited to join the New Families FaceBook group where they can interact and connect. Twice a year, the PFO brings the entire school community across all four divisions together: during Pumpkin Festival in Fall and World’s Fair in Spring.
The PFO also sponsors and organizes the LP Book Fair, Teacher Appreciation and Chinese New Year celebrations. Furthermore, the PFO supports various division specific activities through the allocation of funds to projects proposed by each division, working collaboratively with our four divisional representatives.
Parents are invited to volunteer for PFO activities and are welcome to do so by emailing the PFO at pfo@hkis.edu.hk or pfo.volunteers@hkis.edu.hk. Find more details about the PFO in the “Community” section of the HKIS website.
Annual Fund Committee
The Annual Fund Committee is a parent-led organization that develops awareness and encourages participation for the HKIS Annual Fund, a philanthropic fund to support and enhance the operation of the school. The AFC works with the Advancement Committee, a committee under the HKIS Board of Managers. To join or find out more about the Annual Fund Committee, please send a message to annualfund@hkis.edu.hk.