THE ENGLISH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
REPORT TO THE BOARD
FOR THE MEETING ON 20 MAY 2015
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORT
1.
Introduction
1.1
The final term of academic session 2014/15 is proving to be a busy term with external
examinations, a range of school events and planning for the new academic session 2015/16.
1.2
For a number of teachers this will be their final term with ESF. To acknowledge and thank
them for their valuable contribution to the Foundation an ESF leavers’ party has been
arranged for 17th June 2015 at ESFC 4:30pm to 6:30pm.
1.3
The pay and fees adjustments approved by the Board at the meeting of 25 March was
announced to parents on 26 March, pending EDB approval which is expected in the next
few months.
1.4
The Executive Committee met for the first time on 28 April.
1.5
Recruitment to the Director of Education post has started.
1.6
Carlson Tong was given a warm farewell from ESF as he stepped down from the Board as
Chairman. Carlson’s significant contribution to ESF was acknowledged by Board members
and ESF staff at a number of events.
2.
Education
2.1
IB Diploma, BTEC and IGCSE examinations and assessments
This term, 1150 students from Y13 will be taking International Baccalaureate Diploma
Programme (IBDP) examinations, finalizing the Business and Technology Education
Council (BTEC) Level 3 and Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network
(ASDAN) assessments. In Addition, 1000 students from Y11 will be taking IGCSE
examinations or MYP assessments, with most students taking between 7 and 11 subjects.
2.2
Cooperation with the Hong Kong Sports Institute
ESF secondary schools are working with HKSI to modify a curriculum for elite athletes. Two
students have been admitted for this programme and will start in August 2015.
2.3
Higher Education Reviews
ESF is conducting a review of the progression from ESF to higher education to inform a new
higher education strategy 2016. Two schools have been reviewed and the review of all
seven schools will be completed by the end of term.
2.4
ESF 6th Primary Language Celebration
The ESF Language Centre held its 6th Mother Tongue Celebration for primary students at
ESF Quarry Bay School. It was an opportunity for over 100 ESF primary students to
celebrate the support for mother tongue across the primary phase with students, parents
and ESF leaders.
2.5
Emerging Leaders Celebration
The final session of the year-long Emerging Leaders Program was held on May 7 with the
participants sharing their "leadership platforms" with colleagues and senior leaders from
across ESF.
2.6
ESF Leadership and Teacher Capability Framework Reviews
The ESF leadership and teaching capability frameworks are tools designed to assist all
schools to develop the teaching and leadership capability of their staff. The frameworks set
out the capabilities ESF teachers and leaders need for effective and successful practice.
The frameworks have recently been reviewed by teams of teachers and leaders with
feedback from schools used to refine and improve both documents. The revised frameworks
will be in school for the beginning of the 2015/16 school year and will play a key role in
driving teaching and learning and leadership across ESF for the next five years.
3.
Finance
3.1
Director of Advancement
ESF welcomed the new Director of Advancement, Teri Appel, who joined ESF in April. The
goal is to start the process of building understanding and support for development and
philanthropic activities across the ESF system. As Island School is the initial focus for the
Director of Advancement, she has already started to review and evaluate their existing
support and engagement activities, in order to begin the process of determining a school
specific development plan.
4.
Human Resources
4.1
Training
Year to date, ESF HR has organised 20 training courses for support staff throughout this
academic year.
4.2
Recruitment
As of 8 May 2015, ESF HR received 100 resignations. Excluding ESF internal movement,
there are 85 appointments. Offers have been made to successful teaching candidates, who
are represented as follows: 41% from overseas, 17% from Hong Kong, and 42% recruited
from within ESF.
5.
Facilities Development Department
5.1
Island School
Work on the detailed design is proceeding as planned and we await initial comments on our
first General Building Plan submission to the government.
2
The Education Bureau will be making their submission for internal funding allocation in June
2015. We expect to have the result in September/ October 2015.
6.
ESF Educational Services Limited
6.1
ESF Language and Learning Centre
New classes are being added and additional teachers are being hired as interest grows in
the ESF Early Learners playgroup programme at the newly opened ESF Language and
Learning Centre in Wan Chai.
6.2
ESF Sports Stars Awards
The sports stars awards, celebrating the 20th anniversary of ESF Educational Services, is
reaching its climax with four finalists competing for the title of Sports Star. The competitors
have been taken through a challenging programme of personal development together with
exposure to focused sports coaching and inspirational talks from leading sports people.
6.3
Kindergarten Entry into Year 1
Following the interviews for admission to Y1, children attending ESF International
Kindergartens again achieved over 90% success rate in gaining Y1 place at an ESF
primary or ESF Private Independent School.
Belinda Greer
12 May 2015
3