Nord Anglia Education
WRITTEN BY
Nord Anglia
01 December, 2025

Secondary Campus Weekly Update 01 Dec 2025

Secondary Campus Weekly Update 01 Dec 2025 - Secondary Campus Weekly Update 01 Dec 2025
Secondary Campus Weekly Update 01 Dec 2025

Dear Parents,

During a time when our thoughts have been and continue to firmly be with those affected by the devastating fires in Tai Po, I’d like to express my sincere thanks to our PTA, NAIS Hong Kong staff and our whole school community for their compassion, kindness and thoughtful donations. The outstanding spirit of our school community and that of Hong Kong coming together to support those in need has been truly remarkable. As part of our continued drive to support victims of the fires, we will place a HKD donation box at our Winter Concert event tomorrow should you wish to offer a contribution.

It has been wonderful to see students back on campus today, sharing stories from their recent enrichment trips. These experiences provide memorable learning opportunities beyond the classroom, helping students grow in confidence, curiosity, and independence.

A huge thank you to all staff who accompanied the students and to Mr. Rogers and Mrs. Reid for their exceptional oversight and coordination.

While enrichment was taking place, our Year 13 students were completing their mock examinations; we are very proud of their hard work and commitment. Meanwhile, Year 11 engaged in valuable in-school study sessions and enrichment activities designed to support their learning journey.

We look forward to sharing more of the students’ learning in the coming weeks as we begin the countdown to the Christmas holiday!

Our International Enrichment Trips:

Mixed Group: Beijing

Our enrichment trip to Beijing proved to be an unforgettable experience for our students from Years 7 to 10.

We kicked off our adventure with a thrilling visit to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. The children embraced the challenge of hiking up to the wall, a feat that truly showcased their determination. The excitement didn't stop there, as they had the chance to toboggan down, leaving them exhilarated and laughing all the way!

Later that day, we participated in an "Amazing Race" around the Hutongs. This activity not only fostered teamwork but also allowed our students to immerse themselves in the rich culture and history of Beijing.

The following days were filled with education and fun. Our visit to the magnificent Temple of Heaven left everyone in awe of its architectural splendour. The serene environment prompted thoughtful reflections, and it was wonderful to see our students engaging with the history of this significant site.

A highlight for many was the cooking class. Watching them don aprons and prepare delicious dishes was a joy!

Of course, no trip to Beijing would be complete without a tour of the iconic Forbidden City. The grandeur of this UNESCO World Heritage site captivated everyone, sparking curiosity and discussions about its historical significance.

Throughout the trip, we were particularly impressed by how all students embodied our school values. They exhibited kindness and respect, not only towards each other but also towards the cultural experiences they encountered. It was heartwarming to witness them come together to create so many positive memories.

Secondary Campus Weekly Update 01 Dec 2025 - Secondary Campus Weekly Update 01 Dec 2025
Secondary Campus Weekly Update 01 Dec 2025 - Secondary Campus Weekly Update 01 Dec 2025

Year 7: Mrs. Procter

On Friday, Year 7 arrived back in West Kowloon Station having experienced an outstanding trip in Yangshuo. Students and staff alike faced many exciting challenges, channeling our school values, and enriching our learning beyond the classroom.

Students participated in a range of activities exploring Yangshuo and the Longji rice terraces such as cooking classes, scavenger hunts, rice cultivation, sketching, biking, service learning, rafting and the challenging Via Ferrata!

Our last night in the Longji rice terraces was a night of celebration with traditional bamboo dancing and special local sweet treats. It was a lovely evening celebrating the achievements of our students in line with our school values.

The Year 7 team and I have been incredibly proud of our year group this week. Whether your child attended our Yangshuo trip or one of the locally provided experiences, I would like to extend a warm thank you in supporting our Enrichment programme at NAIS HK. It is opportunities like this that allow students to step outside of their comfort zone and explore new personal passions.

Secondary Campus Weekly Update 01 Dec 2025 - Secondary Campus Weekly Update 01 Dec 2025

Year 8: Mr. Burnside

Year 8 enjoyed a truly unforgettable week in Chiang Mai, embracing new challenges, deepening friendships, and living our Nord Anglia values beyond the classroom. The students represented Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong with maturity, kindness, and curiosity, and staff were enormously proud of the way they supported one another throughout the trip.

A major highlight was our “Woks and Waterfalls” day, where students shopped for ingredients in a local market, learned to cook classic northern Thai dishes, and then spent the afternoon conquering the famous Sticky Waterfalls in the lush Sri Lanna National Forest. This combination of cultural immersion, teamwork, and adventure brought the group together, with many students stepping outside their comfort zones and celebrating one another’s successes.

The visit to the ethical elephant sanctuary made a powerful impression, giving students the chance to observe rescued elephants in a natural environment and learn about conservation and responsible tourism. The evening stroll through the night market that followed was a wonderful opportunity to experience local culture, practice independence in a safe setting, and reflect on their role as thoughtful global citizens.

The “Tale of Two Villages” experience in the Hmong communities was another stand-out moment, as students compared more developed and less developed villages, tried wax-dye batik and coffee roasting, and enjoyed a home-style Hmong lunch. These experiences brought concepts of sustainable development and community impact to life, helping students build empathy, respect, and a deeper understanding of the region’s people and traditions.

Later in the week, students hiked the Monk’s Trail to Wat Pha Lat, where they enjoyed moments of calm, reflection, and an introduction to Thai Buddhism before taking part in an energetic Muay Thai session. The combination of mindfulness and physical challenge helped many to recognise their own resilience and the importance of looking after both body and mind.

The final day at the Asia Green Roads upcycling centre was both eye-opening and inspiring, as students explored how plastic waste can be transformed into useful products and took part in hands-on upcycling stations. The closing celebration dinner and reflections at the Hmong Hilltribe Lodge captured just how far the year group had come in one week – more confident, more connected, and more aware of their ability to make a positive difference.

Thank you for your continued support and trust in giving your children this opportunity. The Year 8 team is excited to see how students bring their learning from Chiang Mai back into school life, building on the independence, collaboration, and global perspective they have developed during this very special Enrichment Week.

Secondary Campus Weekly Update 01 Dec 2025 - Secondary Campus Weekly Update 01 Dec 2025

Year 9: Mr. Ryan

A wonderful team of 6 staff accompanied an even more wonderful group of over 50 Year 9 students to Siem Reap, Cambodia for an unforgettable Enrichment Trip. The activities and experiences undertaken were nothing short of incredible. A varied and hectic itinerary included 3 days in the town of Siam Reap itself, where students took in the wonderful ancient temples, including the ancient temple of Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument ever built. Students also navigated their way around the town in tuk-tuks, working together in small groups to complete various challenges in the Great Race of Siem Reap.

The other 3 days of the trip involved the students carrying out CAS activities in a local rural Cambodian village named Kompheim. Our students were commendable and exemplary in their engagement throughout this time, and demonstrated the NAIS HK values of being kind, respectful, choosing courage, living with integrity, being ambitious and having an open mind, as they built homes for villagers in need and also taught English in a local school, to smiling Cambodian children. The team immersed themselves in local cultures, by cooking up a storm of local Cambodian cuisine and showed great respect and kindness when offering food to local Buddhist monks in a longstanding Sai Bat (Morning Alms) tradition. We are all very grateful and thankful to our local guides and supporting staff, as well as the enchanting people of Cambodia for giving us such an enriching trip and a lifetime of memories!

Secondary Campus Weekly Update 01 Dec 2025 - Secondary Campus Weekly Update 01 Dec 2025

Year 10: Mr. Mistry

We are thrilled to share a recap of an unforgettable and impactful Year 10 Bali trip. This journey was a perfect blend of service, adventure, and environmental stewardship, and our students represented the school with immense enthusiasm and integrity.

The cornerstone of our adventure was a profound service project at a local primary school. Our students worked tirelessly and collaboratively to construct a much-needed outdoor learning space. Seeing their dedication and the tangible result of their hard work was incredibly rewarding for both students and staff.

Beyond the build, the trip was packed with unique experiences. Students challenged themselves by surfing the famous waves of Kuta Beach and conquering their fears while ziplining high above the stunning Balinese rice terraces. They also contributed directly to marine conservation by participating in a sea plantation initiative, helping to build new coral habitats.

The trip was, without a doubt, so much fun, fostering new friendships and incredible personal growth. We are immensely proud of every student for their positive attitude, resilience, and the wonderful memories they created. Thank you for your support in making this transformative experience possible.

Secondary Campus Weekly Update 01 Dec 2025 - Secondary Campus Weekly Update 01 Dec 2025

Year 12: Mrs. Yu

A small but mighty group of Year 12 students embarked on an adventure to the teardrop island of Sri Lanka during Enrichment Week! Here, students enjoyed the rich culture in Kandy, tried their hand at surfing in Weligama and went turtle spotting at the beautiful beaches in Mirissa.

Students also contributed to and served the community in Haputale by improving facilities at a local school. Working together, they painted a classroom block, built a selection of low-rise gardens, created a structure for a boundary fence and started building a waste collection point!

A highlight for all was witnessing the fantastic work of the Elephant Transit home, seeing the beautiful creatures in their natural habitats. Moreover, students experiencing the release of a baby turtle into the ocean was simply spectacular.

Despite the ongoing soggy conditions, the students had an incredible time, experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime trip and making some unforgettable memories.

Secondary Campus Weekly Update 01 Dec 2025 - Secondary Campus Weekly Update 01 Dec 2025

Year 11’s Week: Lisa Curley

Enrichment Week was an exhilarating journey filled with activities designed to boost our students’ academic skills and spark personal growth in preparation for their upcoming mock exams and I/GCSEs. Students participated in focused study support sessions and tackled past papers, transforming nerves into confidence. Creative coursework workshops ignited their passion, while engaging language activities enhanced their proficiency and self-assurance. Scientific principles came to life through fascinating experiments, making learning fun and hands-on whilst applicable to examinations.

We welcomed inspiring guest speakers, including representatives from UNICEF, who discussed Sustainability Goals and Children's Rights, leading to the launch of the first NAIS HK UNICEF Club. At a talk by the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), students met award-winning director Dr. Terry Lam and gained insight into the creative industry. Additionally, students attended a captivating lecture from Hong Kong University on "Teen Power: How Food Shapes Your Mood, Mind & Muscles," along with an informative talk on Science pathways.

Throughout the week, students also participated in bite-sized sessions on Unifrog and Post-16 Pathways, analysing their data to personalise their revision schedules, an essential step in their academic journey!

The week concluded with the thrilling Race Around Hong Kong, where teams faced exciting challenges across the city, fostering teamwork, collaboration and unforgettable memories. Overall, Enrichment Week was a dynamic blend of excitement and growth, setting a fantastic tone for the upcoming mock exams from Monday 12th to Friday 23rd January 2026.

Secondary Campus Weekly Update 01 Dec 2025 - Secondary Campus Weekly Update 01 Dec 2025

Year 13’s Week: Mr. Spanos

Year 13 students completed their IB mock exams over the last two weeks, which provided a valuable opportunity for students to experience the rigour and structure of the final assessments. The mocks served as an academic checkpoint and Year 13 will receive feedback in due course from their subject teachers. We are extremely proud of the effort and commitment throughout the mocks of our Year 13 students!

The final two days of enrichment week constituted of the ‘IB Collaborative Project’, which is a science investigation designed to foster teamwork and interdisciplinary learning. Year 13 students work in mixed science teams to design and carry out an experiment, applying scientific principles to explore a real-world challenge.

This project encouraged creativity and problem-solving while connecting science to sustainability and innovation. The theme this year led by Mr. Rees, our STEAM Coordinator, was ‘investigate how unconventional materials perform when used for purposes they are not typically designed for.

A selection of photos from Year 13 student projects are below.

Investigating the load bearing abilities of different materials:

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Finding the best fruit skin thermal insulator:

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Investigating the floating ability of different materials:

Secondary Campus Weekly Update 01 Dec 2025 - Secondary Campus Weekly Update 01 Dec 2025

Local Hong Kong Trips:

Many students opted to stay in Hong Kong to experience the fantastic local trips on offer, and I am thrilled to report on their wonderful adventures!

Many students chose to experience the Boxing for Fitness programme in Sheung Wan, where students enjoyed a week of learning the ropes and perfecting their practice. It was inspiring to witness their enthusiasm and dedication throughout the sessions.

In Sai Kung, our students embarked on music-based trip, Let's Rock, where they truly embraced their inner rock stars. The joy on their faces as they participated in various musical activities was truly excellent and their talent exceptional.

For those interested in diving, the Diving in Sai Kung trip was a remarkable success, with students achieving their Open Water PADI Certification—a fantastic achievement that they can be proud of!

Our culinary enthusiasts took part in Cook Like A Pro, learning about cuisines from around the world. It was fantastic to see them transform into chefs and culinary experts, experimenting with various recipes.

The Emergency Rescue Course was another invaluable experience, where students learned life-saving skills in a variety of situations. The coverage of CPR, First Aid, and primary care equipped them with essential knowledge that can make a difference in emergencies.

In an artistic endeavour, the Ideate Create trip allowed students to paint, create, sculpt, draw, and experiment with mixed media to craft their own masterpieces. Their creativity truly shone through!

Finally, in the Impact Lab, students explored the impact of AI on society and how VR can be harnessed to tackle climate change, linking their learning to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Throughout all these experiences, students demonstrated our school values exceptionally well. Staff were extremely impressed by their engagement, teamwork, and enthusiasm. It is always heartening to see our students thriving in such enriching activities.

Christmas comes to Kwun Tong!

Christmas Lunch at Kwun Tong! - APC

We are delighted to announce that we will be holding our annual Christmas Lunch on Friday, 12th December.

Secondary Campus Weekly Update 01 Dec 2025 - Secondary Campus Weekly Update 01 Dec 2025

A full menu will be available on the posters displayed around the campus, however, this year, our Chef has prepared a special festive main course:

Roasted Gammon Ham with Honey-Glazed Carrots, Broccoli, Bread Sauce, Gravy & Mashed Potato.

Please note that due to limited availability, this Chef's Special requires pre-ordering and pre-payment.

If you would like to enjoy this festive feast, please visit the APC counter in school to place your order and make payment between Wednesday, 3rd December and Wednesday, 10th December.

On the day of the lunch, simply come to our dedicated specials counter to collect your pre-ordered meal!

We look forward to celebrating the festive season with you.

Best wishes,

APC School Team

Secondary Campus Weekly Update 01 Dec 2025 - Secondary Campus Weekly Update 01 Dec 2025

Looking Ahead

  • From Monday 1st December – All students to wear winter uniform
  • Tuesday 2nd December – Secondary Winter Concert at 17:00 – 18:30
  • Monday 8th December – All Schools Closed – Day after Hong Kong elections
  • Friday 12th December – House Friday Christmas Special – Christmas Jumpers to be worn
  • Wednesday 17th December – School Closes for End of Term at 12:00 pm
  • Thursday 8th January 2026 – School Re-Opens
  • Thursday 8th January – Friday 23rd January – Year 11 Mock Examinations
  • Wednesday 14th January – Year 9 Pathways Discovery Event
  • Wednesday 28th January – Year 9 Parents’ Evening
  • Thursday 29th January – Y11 Pathways Discovery Event
  • Monday 16th to Friday 20th February – School Closed for Chinese New Year
  • Wednesday 25th February – Year 11 and Year 13 Parents’ Evening

Best regards,

Fiona Thorndike
Head of Secondary