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5 Welcome

6 Our favourite thingsBest-kept secrets from those in the know.

16 After-school activitiesFrom maths to rugby, there’s something for everyone.

28 Outdoors Sai Kung’s best outdoor activities.

40 Online Connect with local Facebook pages.

42 Parties How to organise stress-free celebrations.

46 Eating Slap-up meals at kid-friendly restaurants.

48 EducationYour guide to the area’s schools.

60 MarketplaceCool stuff to buy and do.

64 Well-being Child-focused health and wellness practitioners.

66 NumbersContacts you can’t live without.

2014

PrinterGear Printing

Room 3B, 49 Wong Chuk Hang Road, (Derrick Industrial Building),

Wong Chuk Hang

Published byFast Media Limited

LG1, 222 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong

Contributors

Sammy Ko

Kristine Chen

Nobel Cho

Steffi Yuen

EditorAdele Brunner

Deputy EditorHannah Grogan

Art DirectorCarly Tonna

Sales ExecutiveJackie Wilson

Digital Content EditorSharon Wong

Accounts ManagerConnie Lam

PublisherTom Hilditch

5

welcome

Adele BrunnerEditor

hen I swapped Pok Fu Lam for Clearwater Bay

more than 10 years ago, a friend who lived on

the Island told me that “moving to the dark side

was social suicide”. Fast forward a decade and instead of

the companionless wasteland she envisaged for me, I have a

network of fantastic friends, my children go to great schools

and the whole Sai Kung area just keeps getting better.

New shops and restaurants are opening and complementing

existing favourites; there are more things to do and fewer

reasons to leave. What’s more, we have some of Hong

Kong’s most beautiful beaches and stunning country parks

on our doorsteps.

W So welcome to Clearwater Bay and Sai Kung – and

welcome to the neighbourhood’s ultimate family guide.

We have tried to list as many different clubs, classes and

hobbies as we can to keep kids busy after school and all

sorts of exciting outings and activities for the whole family.

We have included common knowledge and shared some

“best-kept secrets”. We hope this guide will be

an essential read for newcomers and old Sai Kung hands

might discover new people and places.

And my die-hard Island friend? She moved to Clearwater Bay

a few years ago too.

Editor’s Note

Adele

6

ideasideas

7

Best-kept secrets from those in the know.

Our favourite things

Spending time on a boat is a

favourite of ours. It is a cracking day

out and getting kids sailing is not only

fun for them but gives them well-

rounded personal development, good

muscle tone and respect for the ocean.

The Leisure and Cultural Services

Department’s watersports centres in

the Sai Kung Country Park (Chong Hing

and Wong Shek; www.lcsd.gov.hk) are

amazing. They run all sorts of sailing

and watersports courses for really

reasonable prices and organise fun

days for the public too.

Kylie Waterstrom

Elite Charters Hong Kong

8

ideas

We love having a family foot rub at

Seafoot Reflexology. They have special

little chairs for children and a great

selection of kids’ books. It is great down

time for all of us - everyone is calm, still

and quiet. We often follow it up by going

to Sushi Tenku, the Japanese restaurant

in the square. It is gluten-free, perfect

for my youngest daughter who has to be

very careful about what she eats.

Elizabeth Jeffrey

Babushka

If you walk through Nam Pin Wai

village [off the large roundabout at

the bottom of Hiram’s Highway], and

keep walking, you end up passing lots

of little organic farms and vegetable

plots. It’s an easy path for children to

negotiate and they get to see people

gardening, and all sorts of different

herbs and vegetables growing. It’s so

green around there, you keep asking

yourself whether it really is

Hong Kong!

Linda Chuen

Sabai Day Spa

We love Po Toi O. Good for

fish restaurants, noodles, fried

rice, beer, wine, meeting up with

friends, taking your rellies when

they visit for a taste of the local

fare and occasional Chinese

opera. It is a short walk from Tin

Hau Temple and has a pier to

dock your boats, pick up a junk or

do a spot of fishing.

Corrine Valentine

Po Toi O

I love taking my children to the Lions Nature and

Education Centre. There is lots of space to run around, play ball and hide and seek or simply have a nice walk. We often take a picnic too.

Ursula Huber

Dymocks Sai Kung

The Victoria Recreation Club (VRC) gets our vote.

The kids can run around and go wild. Even if they

don’t know the other children who happen to

be there, they end up all hanging out in one

big gang. We also love going paddling on

our stand-up paddle boards.

Lisa Peterson

Sheung Sze Wan

Baby & Children’s Clothing & Swimwear

Baby Basics & Toiletries

Everything you need at...

Nursery Furniture & Accessories

Children’s Furniture

Maternity Wear

Pushchairs Toys

Highchairs Car Seats

Safety & First Aid

Children’s Shoes

Baby & Toddler Food

Pedder Building Store 5/F Pedder Building,12 Pedder Street, Central T: 2522 7112Horizon Plaza Store 21/F Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau T: 2552 5000www.bumpstobabes.com

Untitled-1 1 11/09/2013 15:27

10

ideas

Sai Kung Stingrays!

Paul White, ex-chairman of Sai Kung

Stingrays rugby club

We enjoy skiing:

snow skiing in

winter and in Hong

Kong that means

waterskiing. Blue Sky

Sports Club (bluesky-

sc.com) rents waterskis,

a boat, a driver and all equipment – we

simply turn up at Sha Ha Beach with our

swimmers and go. My wife and I were

also given a blow-up paddle board for our

birthday so we’re quite into spending our

free time on the water. When the kids were

young, we couldn’t do all this but we’ve

turned into a family of water babies.

Andrew Culhane

Clearwater Bay

You can’t beat roller skating and

bike riding on the Ho Chung water

catchment road and also the amazing

bike paths in Tseung Kwan O.

Britt Joynsen

Raw Galore

We live by Hoi Ha Beach so that would

be my pick for the favourite thing my

family likes to do. It is a beautiful,

unspoiled beach and any time there is

well spent.

Rachael Footer

Rachael’s Fun House

Particularly when the weather is cooler,

it’s fun to take a picnic to Bride’s Pool

and explore.

Fanny Chan, Sai Kung

One of our favourite things to do

is to hire bikes in Tai Po and go

cycling along the waterfront

and reservoir near Plover

Cove. The cycling paths

are flat and the scenery

beautiful. There are some

good Thai and Italian

restaurants for afterwards. Tai

Po public swimming pool (11 Ting

Tai Road) is another good day out. It

has massive water slides and several

pools but nobody ever seems to go there.

Sean Prior, coach

Asia Pacific Soccer School

Star cinema at Popcorn Mall [in

Tseung Kwan O] is good; also, seafood

nosh at Po Toi O.Brett Free

Sheung Sze Wan

11

A walk up to the very top of Chuk

Yeung Road to Wong Chuk Yeung, the

old, deserted Chinese village. Spooky

and fascinating at the same time.

Carol Musgrave, Sai Kung

Kite flying at Clearwater Bay Country

Park is a great activity when you have

an hour or so to fill.

Kellie Irwin

House of Cards

We love pennyboarding around Sai Kung

square, eating and dog walking along

the waterfront. Our daughter Emily, 13,

recently did stand-up paddle boarding

with Sai Kung Watersports (bluesky-sc.

com), so that’s another new favourite.

The Gobel family, Silverstrand

There are so many simple but fun things to do with children around Sai Kung

and Clearwater Bay. Our favourites include going to various beaches such as

Sheung Sze Wan and Clearwater Bay Second Beach, hiking the trails, bike riding

around Hang Hau and swimming at Sai Kung and Tseung Kwan O swimming pools.

Nicky Anderson

Typhoon Homeware

As we are lucky enough to have our own boat, one of our favourite

things to do is go to Whiskey Beach – the one

after Hap Mun Beach. It is quite quiet and a really lovely beach.Caroline and Iain Chapman

Ho Chung

12

ideasXXXXXideas

We love taking the boat out to Yau Ley and having a late lunch at the seafood

restaurant. If we have time, we often follow this up with an afternoon swim at Bluff

Island, especially after 4pm when all the junks have left. Another nice day out is

taking a minibus from the gate at the Sai Kung Country Park to Hoi Ha Beach. It is

a great beach, very quiet, with lovely walks and barbecue pits.

Alison Maddren, Po Toi O

Hiking up High Junk Peak [near

Sheung Sze Wan on Clearwater Bay

Road]; the waterslides and diving

pool at Tseung Kwan O; cycling, skate

boarding and roller blading along the

Tseung Kwan O paths; spending time

at Clearwater Bay’s beaches…

Lise Harrow, Clearwater Bay

We love kayaking through the natural

rock arches on the way to Sai Wan

beach and then hiking up the river

valley to get to the Sheung Luk river

pools and cliff jumps.

Alison Cooke, Silverstrand

We like walking to Trio Beach and

having a swim there, especially on

Boxing Day. The lifeguards are friendly

and turn a blind eye to dogs and

ball games if the beach isn’t busy.

Snorkelling off beaches is fun and you

see more than you would think. If you

have older kids, Splash HK (splashhk.

com) runs great scuba diving courses

and organises regular Splash dive days

out on a boat when anyone can join.

Fiona Bojan, Silverstrand

Sai Kung swimming pool rocks! Also, the squash courts in Sai Kung [next

to the swimming pool] are great for having a bash with the kids. A perfect thing to do when it’s wet outside.

Sue Parsons

Sai Kung

My kids love simply hanging around

and skateboarding in Sai Kung square

as they always bump into their friends.

We also enjoy walking along the

waterfront and seeing what the local

fishermen have caught.

Diana White, Sheung Sze Wan

16

ACTIVITIES

ARTS & CRAFTS

Anastassia’s Art House

Hong Kong’s only Russian art academy,

Anastassia’s Art House is on a mission

to bring Russian and Western art

heritage to Hong Kong through a range

of structured art classes for students

aged three to 16 years. Children have an

array of choices, including art, drawing

and sketching, ceramics, Chinese

painting, fashion, graphic, interior and

product design. Adult classes available.

9 Hoi Pong Street, Sai Kung, 2719 5533,

www.arthouse-hk.com.

Bricks 4 Kidz

Children who like Lego will love

Bricks 4 Kidz, which uses the famous

little bricks in hands-on classes for

children from two to teens. Sessions start

with a teacher-led discussion, followed by

a chance for students to collaborate on

a design that resolves a set task. Weekly

classes and holiday camps available.

65 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, 6184 6229,

www.bricks4kidz.com.

Craft Hour

Creative kids aged six to 11 can learn

all kinds of arty skills at Craft Hour, held

every Saturday, 9.30am-10.30am. There

is a termly curriculum with seasonal

projects, teaching everything

from knitting and weaving to

paper crafts and decorative

painting. Classes are held at the

Sascha Camille Howard Artist

Studio, G/F, Lot 787, Po Tung

Road, Sai Kung. Contact Lisa

Ackerman on 6757 2564,

crafthourasia@gmail.com,

www.crafthourasia.com.

Fun things to do after school.

Child’s play

Kuro Vale Pottery

Pottery gallery and studio Kuro Vale

offers classes teaching children aged

six to 12 the basics of “handbuilding”

clay and transforming their ideas into

3-D pieces. Classes are held in English

on Thursdays and Saturdays, and in

Chinese on Mondays, Wednesdays

and Saturdays ($800 for four 90-minute

classes, plus $100 a month for glazes

and firing). Adult classes are held

1pm-3pm every Thursday and cost $250

for two hours. 48 See Cheung Street,

Sai Kung, kurovale@hotmail.com.

activities

Picture: Tutti Music

17

sessions, and Cambridge Young English

Learner and Revision groups. G/F, 183B

Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 2791 2918,

info@lighthouseplayroom.com,

www.lighthouseplayroom.com.

DANCE

Echoes of Erin

School of Dance

Kick up your heels

and channel your inner

Riverdancer, Echoes of Erin

offers classes in traditional

and contemporary Irish

dancing for children from

three years to adults.

The dancers perform at

various balls and functions

across Hong Kong and the school

has won numerous awards for

its performances at international

competitions. Fast-paced and fun,

the Sai Kung classes are currently

held at Tina’s Dance Studio,

Jungle Studio (near Pepperoni’s)

and Renaissance College, with the

possible addition of a new class

at Hong Kong Academy. Contact

Catriona Newcombe on 9093 8125,

info@echoesirishdance.com,

www.echoesirishdance.com.

Russian Ballet School

Not only is this the first Russian ballet

school in Hong Kong, it is also the

first in the SAR to exclusively use

the Vaganova system. This training

method is used in most professional

ballet companies and their associated

schools, and is proven to produce

excellent results with both vocational

and recreational students. A variety of

classes (including some specifically

for boys aged seven to 12) are held

daily, catering for mini ballerinas

aged three right through to advanced

adults. First-time trial classes are

$160; once enrolled, you have to pay

for 10 classes or more in advance

($1,500 for a 10-week period). Private

classes are $700/hr. 787 Po Tung

Road, Sai Kung, 5467 4674,

rbssaikung@gmail.com, www.

russianballetschool-hk.com.

Southern School of Dance

This popular dance school

offers lessons in classical

ballet, tap and modern

jazz for children from

preschool ages to

teenagers. There is

even a hip-hop class for

boys only. Don’t forget your

hankie at the school’s annual

show. Staged at a theatre in

Hong Kong, choreographed

by the teachers and

with everyone at the

school taking part, it is

an emotional experience

to see your little ones dancing their

hearts out in front of an audience.

6A Shaw House, Shaw Studios,

Clearwater Bay Road, 2705 9538,

www.southernschoolofdance.com.hk.

Tina’s Dance Studio

Tina offers ballet classes throughout

the week for tiny dancers as young as

two-and-a-half years. Hip hop is also

on the menu for kids who want to be

a hit at the school disco. 15 Man Nin

Street, Sai Kung, 2328 2250,

www.tinasdancestudiosaikung.com.

Little Hands

The Little Hands Workshop runs

eco-friendly arts and crafts classes

for children aged two-and-a-half to

12 years, using only recyclable and

recycled materials. Private parties and

art jam sessions are also available.

Shop 12 (above Babushka), 66 Yi

Chun Street, Sai Kung, 5431 3122.

Swiss Art Studio

Swiss Art Studio has a choice of classes

for young artists. Hour-long sessions

for the under-sixes cover basic art

techniques in a fun environment. Older

children can sign up for the 90-minute

classes as part of the Royal Talens

Certificate. There are Family Fun Classes

where mum and dad can join in. G/F,

14A1 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 3188

4127, info.sak@swissartstudio.com.hk.

COOKERY

Lighthouse

If your mini masterchef is looking for

an outlet to practice their cooking

skills, Lighthouse is just the place. This

kitchen-playroom-classroom enables

children to play, cook and learn in a

safe, hands-on and fun environment

that promotes creativity and discovery.

Cooking classes are offered in English

and Mandarin for children aged three to

12, so not only do they learn to cook a

variety of Western and Chinese dishes

but learn languages using cooking as

a medium. Recipes change regularly

and children take part in every aspect

of preparing a complete dish as well

as enjoying it at the end of the lesson.

Lighthouse also offers parent-and-

child classes and private cooking

parties, and its space can also be

hired as a venue.

Other classes include the Five

Senses playgroup for children aged six

to 36 months (with parents), Mandarin,

English and bilingual playgroups and

tutorials, synthetic and Letterland phonics

Picture: Bricks 4 Kidz

18

activities

TUITION

EnopiIf your children are in a muddle with maths, try Enopi. B1, Marina Cove

Shopping Centre, Sai Kung, 2335 1261.

school subjects. As well as regular

subjects, it offers school interview

preparation techniques, online

distance learning, school and

university admissions advice and

a school placement consultancy

service. 3188 3940, es@tuition.com.hk,

www.tuition.com.hk.

Kumon

Kumon provides maths, English

and Chinese programmes for

children of all ages using the

Kumon Method. Before enrollment,

an instructor will explain the method,

provide a free assessment of the

child’s ability, set an individualised

learning projection and arrange

appropriate learning materials for

the child. Students are required to

come to the centre every week on

schedule and continue their daily

study at home. B12, Marina Cove

Shopping Centre, 2335 9665,

www.kumon.com.cn.

ITS Global Education Limited

ITS Tutorial School (ITS) provides

private tutor services in English

for a comprehensive range of

tertiary, secondary and primary

19

The Reading Room

Individual and group tuition

in English speaking, writing, reading,

phonics and listening, taught by native

English speakers on the waterfront. 21

Hoi Pong Street, Sai Kung, 9199 5900,

english@thereadingroom.com.hk,

www.thereadingroom.com.hk.

TLC Kids

From maths to magic classes, TLC offers

entertaining ways for kids to develop

academic skills in a fun environment. It

has even incorporated MineCraft into

certain programmes. 2606 2770,

info@tlckids.com.hk, www.tlcglobal.net.

Quest Study Skills

Quest Study Skills provides

secondary and pre-secondary

students with practical strategies

and tools to succeed academically,

via small group courses, programmes

and workshops at various locations

including the Australian International

School in Kowloon Tong. Private

tutorials are also available; holiday and

Saturday courses offered. 2690 9117,

www.queststudyskills.com.

Sai Kung Tutors

Sai Kung Tutors offers a wide variety

of academic tutoring, guidance and

extracurricular activities for primary

and secondary students. Subjects

include maths, chemistry, physics and

languages and are usually taught one-

on-one at the student’s home. Specific

group “clinics” have been introduced for

various subjects. Call Tammy on

5321 4400, info@saikungtutors.com,

www.saikungtutors.com.

True Communication

If your child has speech, language,

reading, spelling or written language

difficulties, True Communication:

Speech, Language & Literacy Services

can help. It offers individual speech,

language and literacy assessments

and sessions tailored to your child’s

needs, supplemented by reports and

suggestions for home practice.

Contact Nic Parker, speech and

language therapist on 6449 7347,

nic@truecommunicationslt.com.

Uni-Tutors Hong Kong

This tuition company employs university

undergraduates to tutor school students

and specialises in IB, A Level, IGCSE

and HKDSE curricula as well as general

tuition. The service covers most

subjects, including languages, maths,

sciences, social sciences, business and

economics. Fees vary from $150 to

$400 an hour. 9483 2427, unitutorshk@

gmail.com, www.unitutorshk.com.

20

activities

LANGUAGES

Clay Story Studio

Learn Chinese through play with clay at

Mandarin ceramic classes for children

aged four to 10. 32A Po Tung Road,

Sai Kung, 2791 6126.

Clever Cloggs

This bilingual English and Mandarin

programme on DVD is tailored for

children and toddlers from the age of

six months. Words are spoken in native

English and Mandarin with episodes

on topics such as transport, colours

and shapes filled with clear, relevant

speech, bright visuals, songs and

plenty of smiling faces. The DVDs cost

from $100 from www.clever-cloggs.

com.hk and Today Speed Prof, G/F, 26

Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, 2792 5815.

Easy English for Kids

Make learning English fun with stories,

songs, art and outdoor play. EEK also runs

a Mandarin playgroup for preschoolers.

28F Sai Keng Village, Sai Sha Road, Sai

Kung, 3487 3053, www.eek.com.hk.

Jumpstart Mandarin Learning Centre

Small group classes in Mandarin for

children of all ages with an emphasis

on task-based learning through stories,

games and other activities. 2/F, 51 Yi

Chun Street, Sai Kung, 2791 4838,

www.jumpstartmlc.com.

La Petite France

Calling all aspiring francophiles. A

little corner of France can be found in Sai

Kung, offering French language lessons

for children aged eight to late teens as

well as classes in other aspects of French

culture from books to movies to wine –

although that last one isn’t so much for the

kids. G/F, 787 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung,

2791 0082, www.lapetitefrancehk.com.

Les Petits Lascars de Sai Kung

This centre offers native French

teachers and a helpful hand for

any future applicants of the French

International School. 2/F, 16 Wan

King Path, Sai Kung, 2526 8892,

www.lespetitslascars.com.

Sai Kung English

This family-run business offers a

wide variety of services for all levels

from beginners to the more advanced.

As well as individual or group English

language lessons, SKE also teaches

through creative-oriented activities

such as drama, music and chess.

Contact James at 6407 8574,

james@saikungenglish.com,

www.saikungenglish.com.

21

Play Football with the ESF Lions

www.esf.org.hksports@esf.org.hktel 2711 1280

ESF Lions Youth Football

SAI KUNG SOCCER SUNDAYSWai Man Road Playground, Sai Kung

With expert qualified coaches, locally based & first aid trained, be assured of coaching quality & child safety.

ESF Lions Youth Football Academy operates across Hong Kong with an excellent support structure & elite player pathways for children wishing to take their football to the next level.

Contact us today for further information.

Girls Football: 4+ (9 - 10am)Soccer Cubs: 2-4yrs (10 - 11am)Football Fun: 4-9yrs (10 - 11am)Fast Paced 5/side: 9+ (11am-12pm)

1/2 Page Sai Kung Magazine.indd 1 19/08/2013 11:14

MUSICIsland Glee Club

The Island Glee Club for aspiring singers

will keep you believing that you can be

a star. Weekly classes in Sai Kung cover

topics such as breathing techniques,

choreography and stage craft basics.

9389 5880, www.islandgleeclub.com.

Music Horizon

This music centre gives lessons in a

wide variety of instruments including

guitar, piano, drums, flute, violin and the

saxophone. Singing, Mandarin and art are

also taught. 188 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung,

2791 7676, www.music-saikung.com.

Tutti Music

A holistic music education programme

for early childhood that aims to develop

fundamental skills through age-

appropriate musical activities. Offering

courses from Musikgarten music and

movement classes (from birth to four

years) to Little Voices singing class for

children aged three to six, Tutti Music will

start your child on a lifelong journey of

music appreciation.

Group and

individual tuition in

various instruments

available. Shop 205, Park

Central, Tseung Kwan O,

2176 4028, www.tmusic.com.hk.

GuitarGuy Le Claire

Music Room

Guitarist and composer,

Guy Le Claire, teaches all styles

of guitar and levels out of his

studio in Wai Sum Village in

Clearwater Bay. 9765 9707,

guyleclairemusic@yahoo.com.

Piano Grand Piano Limited

Think you may have a child prodigy on

your hands? Grand Piano has a team of

teachers ready to come to your home and

teach all ages from toddlers upwards.

Other instrument lessons available as well

as music appreciation and theory.

info@grandpiano.hk,

www.grandpiano.hk.

Vianne at My Music

Wonderland Piano

This highly experienced piano

teacher previously taught in

kindergartens and primary schools

as well as at Tom Lee. She will

come to your home and get

kids aged three and upwards

tinkling the ivories and having fun

doing so. 6014 9389, contact@

mymusicwonderland.com,

www.mymusicwonderland.com.

SingingSinging with Selina

Classically trained teacher Selina

offers singing lessons to children of

all ages and skill levels. 5194 1000,

selinayhchu@gmail.com.

22

activitiesFootball

Asia Pacific Soccer School

APSS puts budding Peles through

their paces every week at various

locations in Clearwater Bay and Sai

Kung. They coach girls and boys from

five to 14 as well as private football or

World Cup parties. Visit www.apsoccer.

hk.com or call 2385 9677 for details.

Sai Kung Sharks Football Club

Play footy every weekday if you

want to with the Sai Kung Sharks.

Training sessions for kids five and

up are held at the Sai Kung and Pak

Kong football pitches. 9125 7946,

charles@saikungsharks.com,

www.saikungsharksfc.com.

GolfGarden Farm Golf

Garden Farm Golf has 93 driving bays,

grass areas for chipping, putting and

teeing off and a free putting area for

children. 8C Tseng Tau Village, Shap

Sze Heung, Sai Sha Road, 2791 9098,

www.gardenfarmgolf.com

HKJC Kau Sai Chau Golf Club

Lessons taught by former professionals

are offered for juniors at Hong Kong’s

only public golf course, a short ferry

ride from Sai Kung. Call the Golf

Instruction Centre on 2791 3388, www. kscgolf.org.hk.

SPORT

Ball skillsPlayball

This sports-based playgroup is for little

ones aged from two to eight. Children

learn all kinds of skills such as teamwork,

balance and mid-line crossing from nine

different sports including basketball,

baseball, hockey, rugby and netball. First

lesson is free; private parties available.

Classes currently on Monday afternoon

at Ho Chung Soccer Pitch, Sai Kung,

and Renaissance College, Heng On.

www.playballhk.com.

CricketImran Cricket Academy

Learn how to deliver a googly and

hit a wicket as well as bat, bowl and

play cricket the fun way. Sessions held

every Friday at Clearwater Bay School

and in Sai Kung, also runs cricket

camps, tournaments and birthday

parties. 9745 2700,

www.imranacademy.com.

ESF Lions

ESF Lions offers soccer coaching

programmes for players aged two to

16. 10am-1pm, Sundays, Wai Man

Road Playground, Sai Kung, 2760 3934,

jim.hackett@esf.org.hk.

23

Whitehead Golf Club

Set on the edge of Tolo Harbour, this

driving range has 160 real grass driving

bays and offers a Family Training

Course to teach adults and children

the basics of the game. Lok Wo Shan

Lane, Ma On Shan, 2631 9900,

www.whiteheadclub.com.

GymnasticsFlipping Kids

Cartwheeling kids get their acrobatic

fix with Gay Williamson, a trained

gymnast who runs classes at

Clearwater Bay Country Club. Classes

are held on Mondays and Tuesdays

for four-year-olds and upwards. Email

williamsongay65@gmail.com or call the

club on 2719 1595.

JWT Kids Gym

Not strictly gymnastics, the classes

at JWT Kids Gym are designed to

stretch young bodies and minds in a

fun way. Equipment includes balance

Horse Riding The Clearwater Bay Equestrian Centre

Treat your little princes and princesses

to horse-riding lessons in Clearwater

Bay. It also hosts pony parties and

parent and toddler coffee mornings.

115 Mau Po, Clearwater Bay,

6398 6241, www.ceec.hk.

beams, trapezes, uneven bars and

a wide range of tunnels and padded

equipment. Sessions are for children

aged four months to nine years and

also include aerobics, yoga and karate

for the over-threes. Shop 202, Park

Central, 9 Tong Tak Street, Tseung

Kwan O, 3968 7500.

24

activitiesIce Hockey And Ice SkatingThe Rink at Elements Mall

Get your skates on and head over to

the Rink at Elements Mall. On offer are

regular group, private or semi-private

figure skating (30 minutes) and ice

hockey sessions (45 minutes) but you

can always take your chances and

turn up for a walk-in lesson if space is

available. G/F, Elements, 1 Austin Road

West, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2196 8016, www.

rink.com.hk.

Cityplaza Ice Palace

Tai Koo Shing’s Cityplaza Ice Palace is

Hong Kong’s largest skating school and

has about 30 coaches offering private

and group lessons. 18/F, One Island

East, 18 Westlands Road, Taikoo Shing,

www.icepalace.com.hk.

Mega Ice

For those of you who like a challenge

(and a bruising), Mega Ice hosts ice

hockey classes at MegaBox. It is the

only NHL-sized rink in Hong Kong,

and is home to the Penguins junior

ice hockey club and the Hong Kong

Academy of Ice Hockey. Private and

group figure skating and hockey

lessons are available. Level 10, 38

Wang Chiu Road, Kowloon Bay,

9181 1662, www.megaice.com.hk.

Martial Arts Tae Kwon Do Ohdokwan

What boy doesn’t want to be a martial

arts god? Master Norman Law teaches

basic techniques, discipline, self control

and defence

and sparring

sessions.

Lessons held

at Clearwater Bay

School. F6342 7338,

masterlaw@ohdokwan.org.

RugbyDeA Tigers

Follow in the footsteps of Hong

Kong rugby star Rowan Varty at

the DeA Tigers, which teaches

rugby to children from ages three

to 18 every Sunday morning

at King’s Park, Kowloon.

www.deatigersrfc.com.

RugBees

It’s never too early to get your kids

playing “the gentlemen’s game”.

RugBees is Asia’s first dedicated rugby

play programme tailored for children

from walking to five years old. It

adopts a play-and-learn ethos, where

children are taught key motor skills

geared towards rugby principals such

as catching, kicking, teamwork and,

most importantly, fun. Different themes

incorporate music, stories and creative

equipment. 2117 3055, nicepeople@

rugbees.com, www.rugbees.com.

Sai Kung Stingrays

What’s not to love about

this friendly family-run

club, which runs rugby

training for children

aged five to under-19s.

Training is held for most

age groups at the Sai

Kung Stadium every

Sunday morning

in season (August-

March) with games at

regular tournaments.

www.stingrays.org.

RunningJunior Run Club

Popular Sai Kung triathletes and fitness

trainers Tim Stevens and Warren

Warner have joined forces to come up

with a brand-new athletic track training

programme for 10-year-olds upwards.

It incorporates drills to improve

technique, muscular and core strength

and endurance with an emphasis on

taking part and getting fitter. 9196 9442,

skbasecamp@gmail.com.

Sailing Hebe Haven Yacht Club

After-school and Saturday sailing for

children year-round, in boats of various

classes including Optimists, Lasers

and Picos. Holiday courses such as the

Summer Adventure Multi-Activity weeks

and sailing at different levels are also

offered. 2719 9682, www.hhyc.org.

25

Swimming/Watersports Blue Sky Sports Club

Blue Sky is well-known in Sai Kung

for its swimming lessons and teach

all ages at Sai Kung public pool. The

team also runs the Sai Kung Water

Sports Training Center with courses

for adventurous Annies and Andrews

such as wakeboarding, dragon boating,

kayaking, surfing and stand-up paddle

boarding. 2792 4938, info@bluesky-sc.

com, www.bluesky-sc.com.

ESF Swimming Sharks

The mighty ESF Sports Services offer

termly and holiday courses at Sha

Tin College and Renaissance College

to get your kids swimming like fish.

Tadpoles, Frogs and Goldfish classes

teach three- to five-year-olds the basics

while Dolphins, Stingrays, Seals and

Swordfish classes hone the skills of

older kids. 2711 1280, www.esf.org.hk.

Mango Swimming Club

Triathlete Mango teaches all ages

to swim at Sai Kung swimming pool

and can improve the stroke technique

and stamina of older kids. He also offers

an introduction to triathlons

with training in swimming, running

and cycling. 8100 9934,

mangoswimmingclub@yahoo.com.hk.

TennisHong Kong Educational Services

The Australasia Tennis Aces are tennis

programme providers for ESF Services,

and teach kids from four years. They

operate locally at Renaissance College,

Clearwater Bay, Kowloon Junior and

King George V schools. 2711 1280,

sports@esf.org.hk, www.esf.org.hk.

Grand Slam Sports

Although based at the Repulse Bay

Club, Grand Slam is hoping to expand

to coach women and children based

in Sai Kung. Group and private

lessons available. 9161 7094,

marcus@grandslamtennis.hk.

Hong Kong International Tennis Academy

Coach Lea Lai offers lessons several

times a week for children from ages

two to six at the Sai Kung Tennis

Courts. 9662 8888, lea.lai@hkita.com,

www.hkita.com.

Monster Tennis

Monster Tennis teaches tennis skills

to two- to 10-year olds. First hour

trial lesson is free; tennis parties

available. benny.lin@hkita.com,

www.monstertennis.hk.

Multi-Sport

Keeping kids fit and gainfully occupied

for years at various venues around

Hong Kong, Multi-Sport has headed to

Sai Kung for the first time. Operating

out of Hong Kong Academy, it is

offering gymnastics, soccer, basketball,

mini tennis and junior sports for all

ages. 2540 1257, admin@multi-sport.

com.hk, www.multi-sport.com.hk.

26

activities

Learn to dance

at Shaw House(Opposite CWB School)

Wed am 3-5yr Ballet

every a ernoon andSaturday mornings

RAD Ballet

ISTD Tap, Jazz, Modern& Hip-hop

Call Mrs Knight

2872 6917www.southernschoolofdance.com.hk

YogaGecko Yoga

Gecko Yoga is all about passing on real

yoga concepts in kid-friendly ways,

mixing storytelling and fun games with

yoga poses. Classes for babies as

young as six weeks through to sessions

for teens and families. 6973 1792, info@

geckoyoga.com, www.geckoyoga.com.

Julie Dixon

Give your kids a stretch with popular

yoga teacher Julie Dixon. She teaches

two children’s sessions on Thursday

afternoons at the Clearwater Country

Club for ages seven to nine (4.15pm-

5.15pm) and 10-13 year olds (5pm-

5.45pm). juliedixon65@hotmail.com.

Teresa Leung

Teresa offers private yoga classes

for teenagers and children at the

Sai Kung Squash Courts. 9271 0222,

chaushun888@hotmail.com.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Cub Scouts

The Sai Kung troop is part of the

299 East Kowloon Scouts. Boys aged

eight to 11 meet every Thursday,

6pm-7.30pm, to learn all those

traditional boys skills such as tying

knots as well as a whole lot more.

Pak Sha Wan Tam Wah Ching Sea Activity

Centre, Sai Kung, saikungcubs@gmail.

com; www.scout.org.hk.

Grasshopper Scouts

Energetic boys and girls from six to

eight years will love Grasshopper

Scouts (aka Beaver Scouts). They

experience an adventurous programme

of outdoor activities, games and

creative play, enjoying time with

existing friends and making new ones.

They meet every Wednesday, 4.15pm-

5.30pm, and as it is run by volunteers,

commitment is essential. Location as

above. saikungbeavers@gmail.com.

27

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Brownies

Get your little girls dibbing and dobbing

and doing all sorts of other exciting

activities at Brownies. The East 64th

Kowloon Brownie Pack is for girls from

six to 12 and holds regular meetings on

Monday afternoons. As well as learning

new hobbies and skills, girls can extend

existing knowledge and abilities by

working towards all sorts of badges.

Hong Kong Girl Guides Association of

HK, Pak Sha Wan Tam Wah Ching Sea

Activity Centre, Sai Kung, 2359 6877,

www.hkgga.org.hk.

Girl Guides

The 64th East Kowloon Girl Guide

Company is an English-speaking

company that meets in Sai Kung. Girls

must be aged at least 10 in year six

at or above. Hong Kong Girl Guides

Association of HK, Pak Sha Wan Tam

Wah Ching Sea Activity Centre, Sai

Kung, 2359 6877, www.hkgga.org.hk.

OTHER

Hong Lok Yuen Country Club

Hong Lok Yuen Country Club has all

sorts of activities to keep kids (and

adults) occupied. As well as three

swimming pools, indoor and outdoor

playgrounds, it offers tennis, mini

soccer, basketball, squash, ballet,

jazz dance and calligraphy to name

a few. Although it is a members-only

club (membership costs $40,000 with

monthly fees of $1,500), summer

camps for kids are usually open to

non-members too. 8 Town Centre

Crescent, Hong Lok Yuen, 2657 8899,

www.hlycc.com.

28

outdoors

Go wildMake the most of the Great Outdoors.

BEACHES

Tai Long Wan

Arguably our most beautiful beaches,

Sai Wan, Ham Tin and Tai Long are a

pit-stop for stressed Hong Kongers and

determined surfer dudes.

How to get there: Catch the 29R bus

from outside McDonald’s in Sai Kung

town centre to Sai Wan Pavillion, then

put your best foot forward for an

hour-long hike to Sai Wan beach.

Clearwater Bay Second Beach

If you don’t have the time or energy to

trek to a more remote spot, this beach

ticks all the boxes, particularly if you

have little ones with limited stamina and

patience with walking. This stretch of

sandy beach is perfect for digging while

swimming to pontoons will keep older

children happy.

How to get there: Take the

91 bus from Choi Hung going down

Clearwater Bay Road or minibus 16 from

Po Lam. There is a car park but it fills

quickly at weekends and holidays.

Trio Beach

So close, yet so far from the madding

crowd. Trio has all the beauty of a

private island, with a view of Port

Shelter that could have come

out of a Hemingway novel, yet is

easily accessible with barbecues

and facilities.

How to get there: Take the green

101 minibus to Pak Sha Wan and

take the sampan service from the

public pier. Alternatively, hike 45

minutes from Che Keng Tuk Road

(near SKIP kindergarten).

Hoi Ha Wan

It’s easy to forget that Hong Kong possesses one of the most

abundant marine ecosystems in the region. The rare coral and

mangrove habitats, pristine beach and abundant wildlife at Hoi

Ha Wan reminds us our city’s richness is more than just material.

How to get there: Take the 7 minibus from Sai Kung town centre.

Pho

to: F

erd

inan

d C

orp

uz

29

BIKE TRAILS

Tseung Kwan O/Lohas Park

Saddle up and get the whole family

cycling around seemingly endless

linked bike paths from Tseung Kwan

O and Lohas Park to Hang Hau and

Po Lam. The straight, flat Lohas Park

stretch on the other side of the bridge

is perfect for little ones getting to grips

with two wheels or for older kids to

perfect their skateboarding skills.

Tolo Harbour Cycling Track

One of Hong Kong’s longest continuous

bike trails will take you through parks,

past temples and along stunning

harbour frontage from Tai Wai to Tai

Mei Tuk. Cycle it in sections – such as

the path running along the waterfront

past the Hong Kong Science Park in

Sha Tin – or, if you’ve got a budding

Bradley Wiggins on your hands, tackle

the whole 20 kilometres. Reward

yourself at the end with ice creams and

picturesque views of Plover Cove.

Tai Mong Tsai

Just past the entrance to the Victoria

Recreation Club (VRC) on Tai Mong Tsai

Road is a short but pleasant bike path

that starts with a bit of uphill pedalling

and flattens out to a circuit around a

grassy area with barbecue pits. Ideal

for small children.

EXCURSIONS

Clearwater Bay Country Park

Go fly a kite in the Clearwater Bay Country

Park, which is blessed with stunning

views and almost constant breezes. If you

haven’t got your own model, a small kiosk

sells cheap paper kites (and drinks) that

do the trick. There is a 30-minute tree walk

plus paths galore to explore and trees to

climb. Bring your own picnic or make use

of one of the barbecue pits.

How to get there: KMB bus 91 or green

minibus 103M to the mini roundabout on

Clearwater Bay Road and then a 1.5km

walk to the park. Free parking available.

Lions Nature & Education Centre

Sai Kung isn’t exactly a teeming

metropolis but this 16-hectare park is

a real oasis off busy Hiram’s Highway.

Its maze of stroller-friendly paths wind

through orchards, vegetable beds

(organic produce is sold at weekends)

and a Chinese Medicine Garden, over

little bridges and around dragonfly

ponds. Browse the insectarium, Shell

House and Rock Academy, and let

the kids run themselves ragged on the

paths and playgrounds and have a ball.

How to get there: Che Keng Tuk Road,

2792 2234, www.lnec.gov.hk.

Pak Sha O

This picturesque spot off the road to

Hoi Ha can be reached via a 10-minute

walk through lush subtropical forest and

paddyfields. The well-preserved Hakka

village is an enchanting place, alive with

butterflies and dragonflies skimming

small ponds filled with fish.

How to get there: Take minibus 7 from

Sai Kung town centre towards Hoi Ha

and disembark at the youth hostel.

30

outdoorsSheung Yiu Family Walk

The Sheung Yiu Family Walk is flat

by Hong Kong standards, an easy 75

minutes on firm footing. Start at

Fat Kee Store, just beyond the Sai Kung

East Country Park gate at Pak Tam

Chung. Turn right over the bridge

and follow the signs. The more

energetic can add another 90 minutes

by detouring to High Island Reservoir.

Short or long, both walks offer terrific

sea views as well as a clean river for

a quick splash and a preserved Hakka

village, now the Sheung Yiu Museum

(open 9am-4pm, closed Tuesdays).

How to get there: Drivers can park at

Pak Tam Chung and walk five minutes

to the starting point. From Sai Kung,

catch bus 94 (96R on Sundays and

public holidays) or take the Hoi Ha or

Lady Maclehose Village minibuses (no.7

and 9) and do the same.

Temple of 10,000 Buddhas, Sha Tin

This is one of the quirkiest and most

interesting monasteries in the territory,

not least because it contains the

embalmed body of its founder, Revered

Yuet Kai, in the lotus position, covered

in gold leaf in a glass case. There are

five temples, containing about 13,000

gold ceramic Buddha statues, each

with a different pose and expression.

How to get there: The temple is

signposted from Sha Tin Station,

up 431 steps lined with 500 life-sized

statues.

Yau Ley, High Island

An outing to Yau Ley Seafood Restaurant

is always a great day out. The super-

casual restaurant serves up delicious

Chinese fare and kids can amuse

themselves on the small beach and

jumping off the jetty.

How to get there: If you’re not

fortunate enough to own a boat, hire a

sampan from Sai Kung pier or walk 30

mins downhill from Sai Kung Man Yee

Road, MacLehose Trail Stage 1.

Sheung Luk stream

Leaping off an eight-metre cliff into a deep, cool pool fed by a pristine waterfall in Sheung

Luk stream is a Sai Kung rite of passage. It’s not for the very young or faint-hearted; just

scrambling up the cliff requires a head for heights and jumping off is a mind-spinning leap

of faith. Leap, swim, picnic, make memories.

How to get there: Take the MacLehose Trail to the north end of Sai Wan beach,

then follow the pretty stream uphill for 10 minutes to a series of pools – the upper

pool is the deepest. Wear water shoes, those rocks are sharp.

32

outdoors

escape exploreadventure

Geo-Park Kayaking Trips

Stand Up Paddle Boarding lessons

and equipment sales

www.kayak-and-hike.com Tel - 93005197

Sai Kung - Clearwater Bay H.K

PLAYGROUNDS

Po Hong Park

Introduce your offspring to this

playground paradise in Po Lam and

you’ll be struggling to get them out.

It has at least five linked playground

areas with all sorts of swings, slides

and climbing frames so kids from two

upwards can easily run from one to

another and play to their hearts’ content.

Benches, shade and grass make it good

for picnics. Tseung Kwan O swimming

pool opposite makes a perfect cooling-

down option. Sheung Ning Road,

Po Lam, www.lcsd.gov.hk.

Sai Kung square

This is not the best equipped playground

but is certainly one of the most sociable.

There are always oodles of children

around and yours are likely to run into

schoolfriends or make new ones. The

adjacent basketball court is great for older

children to practise their hoops, ripsticking

or pennyboarding skills. And parents can

enjoy a moment of respite with a coffee at

any one of the nearby cafés

and restaurants.

Sai Kung Waterfront

If you’ve exhausted the sights and sounds

of Sai Kung’s waterfront, small children

might like to put the playground next to

the tennis courts to the test. Swings,

slides and a couple of climbing frames are

sure to keep them gainfully occupied.

DIVING

Splash HK

Local dive operator Splash HK offers a

full range of PADI courses from Bubble

Maker for younger kids to Assistant

Instructor for pre-professional divers.

Children aged 10 and up can take the

first steps to becoming a certified open

water diver by taking the Junior course,

which entails five sessions in a swimming

pool and four open-water dives in the sea

in and around Sai Kung. Contact Darren

Gilkison on 9047 9603, info@splashhk.

com, www.splashhk.com.

KAYAKING AND WATERSPORTS

Blue Sky Water Sports Club

Stick your oar in with Blue Sky Water

Sports Club, which rents kayaks from

Sha Ha beach, as well as stand-up

paddleboards. The club also offers

private coaching for novices as well as

transparent kayaks for seeing exactly

what is swimming beneath you. Contact

Bryan Ng at 2791 0806, 9468 1684,

www.skswc.com.

Chong Hing Water Sports Centre

Spectacularly located at High Island’s

West Sea Cofferdam, a few minutes

by taxi from the country park barrier,

the government-run Chong Hing

Water Sports Centre is loaded with

equipment at rock-bottom prices for

a day out on the water. As well as

kayaks, it offers sailing, windsurfing,

Pic

ture

: Han

nah

Gro

gan

33

surf canoes and even pedalos,

and there’s a campsite for those

who’d like to make a weekend of

it. Reservations essential; closed

Thursdays. Entry is $7 and kayak

rental is $16 an hour on weekdays

and $24 at weekends. For details, call

2792 6810 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk.

Fred the Boatman

Hoi Ha resident “Fred the Boatman”

rents kayaks for $100-$250 at one of

the few centres with showers. He can

be a bit elusive, so we recommend

booking ahead. 2328 2169, 9164 5756,

or 2328 2181.

Jockey Club Sai Kung Outdoor

Training Camp

Located on Tai Mong Tsai Road, this

centre offers a host of watersports

including bamboo rafting, canoeing,

sailing and snorkelling. You need a

group of at least eight people to use the

facility and reservations are essential.

Entry is $20 a head, and kayak rental

is $40 a day, with private coaching

available. It even has a canteen, selling

meals for just $29. For details, call

2792 2727 or visit www.hkfyg.org.hk.

Kayak and Hike

Turn your paddling trip into a real

adventure with Kayak and Hike. A

packed programme starts with a

speedboat or junk trip deep into

the Geopark, where the kayaks are

unpacked for a guided tour of the caves

and sea cliffs formed from volcanic

ash more than 140 million years ago.

Run by Clearwater Bay resident Paul

Etherington, the day trip costs $700

a head. 9300 5197, paul@kayak-and-

hike.com, www.kayak-and-hike.com.

Windsurfing Centre

Conveniently located at Sha Ha beach

at the end of Sai Kung waterfront, the

Windsurfing Centre HK, run by Eddy

Tam, has kayaks and windsurfing boards

just begging to be launched. Rental

costs $50 an hour; basic windsurfing

training is offered to nine-year-olds and

older. 2792 5605, hkg528@hotmail.com,

www.kayaks.com.hk.

OTHER

Outward Bound Hong Kong

Outward Bound’s challenging

programmes include a wide range

of activities for older kids, such as

kayaking, camping, hiking and highly

popular jetty jumping. Courses run for

five or eight days, with accommodation

at its Sai Kung base. Details at 2791

3228, info@outwardbound.org.hk,

www.outwardbound.org.

34

PUBLIC POOLS

Cheap, accessible and popular, public

pools are open in three sessions from

6.30am-10pm; closed noon-1pm and

5pm-6pm, and one day a week for

cleaning from 10am-5pm. Adults $17,

children $8; free for the under-threes,

www.lcsd.gov.hk.

Sai Kung Swimming Pool

With an enviable location on the

waterfront promenade, Sai Kung’s public

pool has a gorgeous view from the first-

floor sundeck (get there early to grab a

lounger and umbrella). As well as a 50m

lap pool, with separate lanes for serious

swimmers, it has a 25m training pool,

free-form toddlers’ pool with playground,

palm-tree fountains, children’s slide and

water games, and two swirly-whirly slides

for bigger kids. Closed Wednesdays. Wai

Man Road, Sai Kung, 2792 7285.

Kwun Tong Pool

This new swimming pool complex

boasts all sorts of innovative energy-

saving designs, including a solar-

powered hot-water system and

rainwater recycling for landscape

irrigation. It’s an all-weather complex

with both indoor and outdoor 50m lap

pools, plus outdoor and indoor 25m

training pools, a spectator stand and

sunbathing area. Closed Wednesdays.

2 Tsui Ping Road, Kwun Tong, 2717 9022.

Tseung Kwan O Swimming Pool

A whopping eight pools make this a

fun venue for the whole family, with a

50m lap pool, large free-form children’s

pool with all sorts of slides and play

equipment, and several training pools

for different abilities. Plus it’s open year-

round. Closed Mondays. 9 Wan Lung

Road, Tseung Kwan O, 2706 7646.

Jordan Valley Swimming Pool

Like something from a child’s imagination,

this 1.7-hectare swimming complex is

devoted to kids. One giant playground, it

features slides, water games, water guns,

a training pool and a leisure pool for the

little ones. Closed Tuesdays. Choi Ha

Road, Ngau Tau Kok, 2305 5919.

HOTEL POOLS

Regal Riverside Hotel

Dive into luxury at the Regal Riverside

Hotel swimming pool in Sha Tin. You

can order snacks from L’Eau restaurant

from your poolside lounger, soak up

some rays, swim laps or relax in the

jacuzzi. Open daily 7am to 9pm. $180 a

person for non-guests. 34-36 Tai Chung

Kiu Road, Sha Tin, 2649 7878,

www.regalriverside.com.

The W Hotel

The gorgeous rooftop infinity pool on the

76th floor of the W Hotel is one of the

highest in the world, and has a jacuzzi,

cocktails and yummy food available

poolside. It’s only open to non-guests on

Sundays, 3pm-8pm; $280 a person.

1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, 3717 2222,

www.w-hongkong.com.

Hyatt Regency, Sha Tin

The large outdoor pool is open year-

round, with loungers, cocktails and

snacks available poolside, as well as a

children’s pool, playground and whirlpool.

Day passes are $400 ($200 for children)

for friends of guests only. 18 Chak

Cheung Street, Sha Tin, 3723 1234,

www.hongkong.shatin.hyatt.com.

outdoors

Sai Kung Magazine 300dpi - Family guide Oct 2013.pdf 1 8/23/13 12:55 PM

36

outdoorsCAMPING

Happy campersPack your bags and embrace your

wild side with a camping trip to some

of Hong Kong’s most beautiful sites.

Where to campThere are 41 official campsites in

Hong Kong, 16 of which are in Sai

Kung, including Tai Long Wan beaches

and Shui Long Wo. Within the country

parks camping is permitted only

at designated sites; pitching a tent

elsewhere is not allowed. For a full list,

maps and how to get there, visit the

Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation

Department website, www.afcd.gov.hk.

Glamping“Glamping”, or glamorous camping –

permanent tents with wood floors, en-

suites and four-poster beds – has yet

to make it to Sai Kung. For information

on where to get camping gear, visit

outdoorsP

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re: T

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Pok

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37

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recommend these additions: Rattan beach mat, laid outside tent

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before entering tent. Dustpan and brush, for sweeping

up errant grass or sand. Battery-operated fan, for cooling. Small dog – security system.

Almost glamping sitesIsland Club

Yes, we know this is accessible only by

ferry from Cheung Chau but once you

get your head round the boats, trains

and automobiles you’ll need to get

there, you won’t fail to have a fun-filled

weekend at Island Club on Lantau.

The private inn and campsite

offers activities galore including

kayaking, windsurfing, banana boating,

snorkelling, rock climbing, surfing and

wakeboarding. While a bit of a rough

diamond compared with other glamping

options, it is reasonably priced.

A day trip including lockers,

loungers, umbrellas and a barbecue

buffet costs $350 to $450 a person

plus an extra $30 to $60 for unlimited

drinks, and $200 if you choose to stay

overnight for a true adventure.

G/F, 23 Tai Long Village, Lantau Island,

2989 2315, www.islandclub.hk.

Long Coast Seasports

Whether you’ve got a princess,

who doesn’t want to rough it, or an

adventure hound who does, camping

options abound at Long Coast

Seasports on Lantau, whose “front

yard” is one of Hong Kong’s longest

stretches of sand, Cheung Sha Beach.

You can rent a basic four- or six-

person tent in the private beachfront

campsite or sleep in style in one of the

three-metre-high Safari tents, boasting

deluxe camping mattresses, furniture

and even air conditioning. If you’d

rather have a proper roof over your

head, there are four guest rooms to

choose from with private showers,

air conditioning and wireless

broadband access.

It’s not all about camping. There

are stacks of watersports to choose

from, with professional support if you

need it, as well as beach volleyball

($250 to rent a net for a day) and

other beach equipment such as

deckchairs ($50 each), parasols ($50

each) and ice boxes to chill those

beers ($50 each, with one ice pack).

You can also purchase activity/

camping vouchers for $540 to $720

for two people (depending on day

and season), which includes use of

kayaks, bodyboards, skimboards, and

overnight facilties.

If you’d rather just camp, it costs

$170 to $200 to rent a tent on the

beach and $200-$250 for a Safari tent.

29 Lower Cheung Sha Beach, Lantau,

8104 6222, www.longcoast.hk.

38

outdoors2984 8710), not only has ready-pitched

tents for hire but changing rooms

and showers too. A four-person tent

costs $700 a night including sleeping

bags, mat, coolers, charcoal, dishes

and cooking equipment. Cycling and

kayaking can also be arranged. Book

in advance to avoid disappointment –

and an uncomfortable night under the

stars. Pui O Beach, Lantau, 2546 3543,

inquiries@treasureislandhk.com,

www.treasureislandhk.com

Tsim Bet Tsui Organic Farm

Not everyone was born to be a beach

babe. If you dread the thought of sand

in your sleeping bag, you can still

experience the great outdoors at Tsim

Bet Tsui Organic Farm in Yuen Long.

During autumn and winter, when

the weather gets cooler, the farm offers

camping in authentic Mongolian gers,

costing from $800 for a two- to five-

person ger and $1,500 for an eight- to

10-person ger. With spectacular views

of the Mai Po Marshes, the farm also

has a petting zoo, a miniature train

and barbecue pits. Lau Fau Shan,

Yuen Long, 2472 6962.

and operated by the people who run

the Safari Bush Campers, Teepee

Village on Palm Beach has eight

handpainted teepees of various sizes,

erected on an 18,000-square-foot

lawn. Weekend rentals start from $850

a night for a four-person teepee with

sleeping bags and mats; a 26-foot-

diameter teepee, which can sleep

up to 20 people, is $3,200 a night.

Add-ons include camping lamps ($20

each), mosquito nets ($50 each) and

air coolers ($100).

The adjacent Palm Beach

Watersports Centre offers all sorts of

watersports including kiteboarding,

surfing and windsurfing. Palm Beach,

Cheung Sha, Lantau, 2980 4822,

info@palmbeach.com.hk,

www.palmbeach.com.hk.

Treasure Island

Can’t be bothered to lug your own

camping equipment to a remote

site? Fed up of fiddling around with

tent pegs? Treasure Island’s private

campsite behind Ooh La La restaurant

(which is a fantastic alternative to

bringing and cooking your own food;

Safari Bush Campers

These semi-permanent canvas

tents look as though they come

straight from an Out Of Africa movie

set and are about as stylish as

camping in Hong Kong gets. The

10 Safari Bush Campers each sleep

six people and come complete with

double airbeds, proper bedding,

tables and chairs, air coolers and

mozzie screens on doors and windows

($1,200 a night at weekends). They

are set in a 40,000-square-foot herb

garden; showers and washroom

facilities are available.

For dinner, the Palm Beach Cafe

offers light refreshments and the

beachside Stoep restaurant (2980

2699) serves hearty South African

dishes and barbecued meats to satisfy

even the hungriest campers. Palm

Beach, Cheung Sha, Lantau, 2980

4822, info@palmbeach.com.hk,

www.palmbeach.com.hk.

Teepee Village

Grab your headdresses, pack

your warpaint and get ready for

action native American style. Owned

Picture: Klas/www.goout.hk

Picture: Klas/www.goout.hk

THE READING ROOM ENGLISH, DRAMA AND BOOKS

21 Hoi Pong Street, Sai Kung 9199 5900

www.thereadingroom.com.hk english@thereadingroom.com.hk

Well stocked Children’s Book Shop new and

secondhand books

Package deals for groups and 1-1

The English Centre All your language requirements for

SAT , IB, GCSE, IGCSE, TOFEL, ILETS,

BULATS,Cambridge, Trinity, Native English Speaking

Teachers

STAGE RIGHT! Youth Theatre

Dive into the world of theatre developing confidence

and self-expression. After school, weekend and holiday

programmes and courses.

40

online

All booked upMake friends with local Facebook pages. We like.

Sai Kung Magazine

Our very own Facebook page, keeping

you up to date with the latest news

and events around town. Keep an eye

out for local information, interviews,

activities, special offers and more.

Bayside Villagers

A great source of information about

Clearwater Bay, with posts about

issues, events, secondhand goods for

sale and heads-up notifications about

everything from roadworks to lost dogs.

Sai Kung Helpers

A closed Facebook group where

members can share information

relating to employing a domestic

helper locally.

SaiKungKids

A good source of information about

child-oriented local businesses,

activities, tutoring and summer camps.

Members include Jumpstart, RugBees,

Monster Tennis, RedWizard, Echoes of

Erin Irish Dancing and Bricks4Kidz.

Sai Kung Marketplace

If you have household items to sell –

or are looking for secondhand items

to buy – this is the place. Everything

from sofas to soda machines pops up

on this fast-moving page. If you see

something you like, get in quick.

Sai Kung Mummies

A forum for local mothers to share advice

and information, advertise products and

services, sell child-related items, and

anything else with a family focus.

SaiKungSquare

A group for local businesses and

organisations to offer real-time

promotions and information to Sai Kung

and Clearwater Bay residents. Members

currently include Steamers, Piccolo’s,

Tala’s, Swiss Art Studio, Anastassia’s Art

House, and more.

Hardly Worn It – Sai Kung Edition

Who hasn’t got something in their

wardrobe that they never wear?

This is the page for posting all

your unwanted clothes, shoes and

accessories and for picking up a

bargain or two in return. After all, one

man’s trash is another’s treasure. Sizes

and measurements in the description

are a must but no fakes please (unless

clearly stated). Baby’s and kids clothes

also welcome.

Sai Kung Real Estate

For those looking to buy, sell or rent a

home in Sai Kung or Clearwater Bay,

this is a good place to start.

Saikung.com

Missed Sai Kung Magazine? Fear not.

You can now subscribe online and get

the magazine delivered directly to your

door for $10 a month. Back issues are

also available. The last few copies of

stunning aerial photography book Above

Sai Kung Clearwater Bay by Graham

Uden are also available for purchase.

Get ‘em while you can.

www.arthouse-hk.com

Happy Valley Art StudioShop 2, 1A Wong Nai Chung Rd.Happy Valley, HKTel: 2838 0040 Fax: 2838 0070happyvalley@arthouse-hk.com

Sai Kung Art StudioG/F, 9 Hoi Pong Street Sai Kung Town, NTTel: 2719 5533 Fax: 2719 5599saikung@arthouse-hk.com

Stanley Plaza Art StudioShop 208, Stanley PlazaStanley, HKTel: 2104 3303 Fax: 2104 3383stanleyplaza@arthouse-hk.com

We run art classes also atCWBS, IMS & HKUSTContact us atTel: 2719 5533

Repulse Bay Art StudioShop G107B, The Repulse Bay 109 Repulse Bay Road, HKTel: 2812 6465 Fax: 2812 6466repulsebay@arthouse-hk.com

42

parties

ACCESSORIES AND SUPPLIES

Babushka

What child

doesn’t love a

toyshop? But

one that can

equally charm

adults is a rare

find in Hong

Kong. Independent toyshop Babushka

ticks both boxes with everything from

gorgeous wooden and hand-knitted

toys and collections of the prettiest

children’s clothes to party favours,

wall stickers and cool science kits.

Everything in the airy, whitewashed shop

is beautifully displayed, transforming

the usual chore of buying children’s gifts

at more commercial toy stores into a

rather wonderful experience. Ranges of

beachwear, accessories and homeware

will make mums even happier. Shop 12,

66 Yi Chun Street (at the back of the

East Garden Plaza building, the large

orange building that houses Steamers),

Sai Kung, 2791 9070,

www.babushka.com.hk.

Bumps to Babes

Presents? Check. Party bags? Check.

Birthday cards? Check. Wrapping

paper? Check. For a one-stop shop for

everything you need to make a birthday

go with a bang, get thee to Bumps to

Babes. Well-known in Hong Kong for

being the best-stocked baby shop in

town, it also offers a wealth of options

for baby-shower gifts as well as all those

childhood essentials. 21/F, Horizon

Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau,

2552 5000, www.bumpstobabes.com.

Dymocks

More than just a bookshop, Dymocks

sells a selection of themed party

supplies (think hats, invitation cards,

paper plates and napkins) plus gifts and

gift wrap, birthday cards and ribbon.

7 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, 2791 9110,

dymockssk@biznetvigator.com.

Eezy Peezy Parties

Eezy Peezy Parties is a complete

party-planning solution for frazzled

mothers. The service delivers e-vites,

It’s my party

manages the replies, oversees the gift list,

delivers presents wrapped and labelled to

the party, supplies party decorations and

tableware, and even sends thank-you

e-cards. Christine Smith-Mann, the brains

behind the service, has also created a

list of entertainers, cake makers, venues,

equipment suppliers (think bouncy

castles) and interior designers to ensure

your child’s party is perfect.

www.eezypeezyparties.com.

HK Photobox

No longer just for passport

photos, HK Photobox

offers the perfect teen party

accessory. Customise your

own background, colours or

themes, and get snap happy.

Unlimited photos for the time

booked will be instantly printed

and/or emailed to guests and

uploaded to social networking

sites while the host receives

a USB of all the

photographic antics.

www.hkphotobox.com.

Pic

ture

: Pan

da

Pot

tery

Call in the professionals and let the good times roll.

43

The Cake Lady

The Cake Lady, aka Louisa Barton,

is a one-time professional cook with

a passion for baking. She can bake

any flavour you fancy, from rainbow

layer cakes to red velvet or good old

chocolate in shapes from dragon

boats to ski slopes. The

cakes are baked fresh

on the morning of the

event using best-

quality ingredients.

louisathecakelady@

gmail.com.

The Sugar Factory

The Sugar Factory is a

Sai Kung-based, home-baking

business that delivers imaginative

cookies and cakes. 9729 4777,

info@thesugarfactory.net.

ENTERTAINMENT

Andy Comic

The 2006 Macau Close-Up Magic

champion, Andy Comic, knows how

to keep a roomful of kids laughing. He

offers a high-energy, action-packed show

featuring magic and juggling, unicycling

and stilt walking and stacks of jokes.

9019 7196, andycomic@gmail.com,

www.andycomic.com.

CQP PlazaSet up by a group of war games enthusiasts, CQP Plaza is boy heaven. An indoor area wiith

20,000 square feet of running-around space, it is divided into

two combat zones: GreenHouse, where plants provide sniper cover,

and WareHouse, where different sized boxes, screens and barrels are perfect hotspots for hiding and firing. A minimum of 15 people is required for a team and if you want exclusive use of the whole centre, you’ll need at least

30 recruits. Costs are from $160-$190 per head, depending on the

session time and day, plus an

Jumpin’ 4 Joy

Jumpin’ 4 Joy has bouncy castles,

activity centres and slides that focus

on younger party goers. Our favourite:

the Monster Truck – with hose. It’s better

wetter. Prices include delivery, set up and

three hours of jumping time. Call Kieron

9467 4545, www.jumpin-4-joy.tk.

CAKES

Ali Oli

Ali Oli offers a range of

speciality cakes in flavours

such as vanilla, carrot,

banana, chocolate, Victoria

sponge and even gluten-free

alternatives in a range of designs.

Both large and small cupcakes are

available, and the shop takes orders for as

few as six cakes. You will need to order at

least three days in advance. 11 Sha Tsui

Path, Sai Kung, orders@alioli.com.hk.

The Cake Affair

Enthusiastic baker Elize Devonport

of The Cake Affair specialises in

bespoke homemade occasion cakes

and cupcakes that taste as good as

they look. The sky’s the limit in terms

of themes. Cakes cost from $500 and

cupcakes from $20 each (minimum order

of 20). All orders need to be placed at

least 10 days in advance. 9752 2535,

markeliz@netvigator.com.

If clowns and castles don’t cut the

mustard, maybe a sports party will.

Many of the companies featured in

our After-School Activities section

are happy to organise private

parties at your venue.

Party plan

additional $80 for a gun, 2,000 BB pellets, a tactical vest and headmasks. 5/F, Hang Seng Industrial Building, 187 Wai Yip Street, Kwun Tong, 2286 0380, info@cqb-plaza.com, www.cqb-plaza.com.

Drum Jam

Led by the charismatic Kumi Masunaga,

Drum Jam has been making people

happy through rhythm for more than

10 years. Its Kidz Jam sessions are

packed with fun rhythm games and

songs for children of all ages and stages

of development and are ideal to get the

party spirit flowing. 9750 4212, info@

drum-jam.com, www.drum-jam.com.

Goatee Toni

Redefine “wild party” with the help of

animal lover Goatee Toni and his team.

Get a crash course in handling reptiles,

face your fear of spiders or for the more

faint of heart, gush over adorable baby

hedgehogs among other wildlife. For

true party animals. info@goateetoni.com,

www.goateetoni.com.

44

parties

HandsOn Hong Kong organizes around 50 volunteer activities each month with a range of local charities doing vital grass roots work in the community. We provide you with meaningful and flexible volunteer opportunities – just register on our website and sign up for any activity you want, whenever you have the time.

BE THE CHANGE. VOLUNTEER.www.handsonhongkong.org

LOOKING TO VOLUNTEER IN HONG KONG?

Make new friends… See a different side of Hong Kong… Give back in a meaningful way…

HandsOn Ad 120x190.indd 1 1/7/13 2:00:36 PM

Gulf War Area

Mothers might loathe them but boys

love war games. All that dressing up in

camouflage, running, hiding and having

a pop at your mates. At Gulf War Area,

“combatants” are armed with protective

clothing, a mask and an airsoft gun

with 2,000 BB pellets – and then it’s

every man for himself. At the time of

going to press, Gulf War Area was in

the process of relocating from Sai Kung

to Tin Fu Tsai Village, Tuen Mun, and is

scheduled to open there in November.

2410 8166, apply@gulfwargame.com,

www.gulfwargame.com.

covers all equipment, including a gun

and 100 paintballs for six games over

two hours. Minimum age to play is

eight; minimum number of players

in a group is 10. G/F Po Lung Centre,

11 Wang Chiu Road,

Kowloon Bay, 3106 0220;

www.paintballhq.com.hk.

Panda Pottery

If you want a fun,

absorbing and

hassle-free party, look

no further than Panda

Pottery. Armed with paints

and pre-selected items of pottery,

the team will come to you and get

everyone creating a masterpiece or

two. There are more than 30 pieces to

choose from including plates, bowls,

cups, photo frames and figures, and

guests can paint away to their hearts’

content, using non-toxic paints. The

pottery is fired and glazed after the

event and delivered back to the party

Jungle Party

Jungle Jim and Jane will stage a puppet

show, play interactive games, get

guests performing the Jungle Jim Boogie

dance and even bring along animal

costumes for photos. More than just a

show, Jungle Party gets all kids involved

in the action and will make the birthday

boy or girl feel extra special. 3188 8174,

birthdays@chunkyonion.com,

www.chunkyonion.com.

Paintball HQ

There’s something rather satisfying

about scoring a direct hit and splattering

your friends with paint. At Paintball HQ,

kids are kitted out in protective clothing

and face shields, and then let loose in a

warehouse-style maze of walls, “houses”

and sniper towers that are perfect for

sniping and keeping undercover. You

can bring your own food, drink and cake

or the company are happy to order in

pizza for you that can be served at half

time in a party room. $250 per person

45

host a fortnight later. A minimum spend

of $2,000 is required. Other options

include Hand & Footprint private parties

for a minimum of six friends and

their little ones to create a

keepsake of a tiny hand

or footprint on a plate.

(Minimum spend is $350

per baby/child.) Panda

Pottery also hosts public

days throughout Hong

Kong; just turn up and paint

away. 6439 2387 or 6041 9613,

info@pandapottery.com,

www.pandapottery.com.

Rachael’s Fun House

Sai Kung’s leading Disco Diva, Rachael

Footer brings parties to life with a host

of characters, games, dance routines,

face-painting, puppets and masses of

energy. She also runs weekly disco dance

lessons and regular student shows.

2705 9556, info@funhousehk.com,

www.funhousehk.com.

Rumple and Friends

With a background in children’s

education and theatre, Rumple and

Friends offers performances from

Rumple the Clown as well as magic,

circus skills, puppet shows, balloon

twisting and face painting. Shows

can be tailormade to the theme of

the party including princess parties.

www.rumpleandfriends.com.

Sabai Day Spa

The popular Sai Kung spa has added

Pretty Princess Nails parties to its

services. The package for girls aged

seven to 12 includes manicures and

pedicures, face painting and tattoos,

flowers for the birthday girl and party

bags for her guests. Food and juice

are included but you must provide the

cake. Five girls minimum; $450 a child

but the birthday girl goes free. 2/F, 10D

Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 2791 2259,

sabaidspa@sabaidayspa.com,

www.sabaidayspa.com.

The Cheese Brothers

The Cheese Brothers are a surefire way

of making any party a hit and will have

a roomful of kids (and possibly adults)

screaming with laughter in no time. Jan,

Zani, Ben and Andy work individually or

come as a team for private parties and

school events, and are well-known for their

brilliant juggling, cheesy jokes, interactive

games and plate spinning among other

antics. Perfect for four- to seven-year-olds,

the Cheese Brothers are hugely popular

in Hong Kong so super-early booking is

recommended. 9612 0502, info@kids-

party.hk, www.kids-party.hk.

www.rump l e a n d f r i e n d s . c om

Professional Birthday Party Entertainment

Full Party Service:

Party ThemingEntertainment Decorations

Venue

Children’s Entertainers

46

eating

Pull up a high chair.

Kids’ tables

Beach Cuisine

So it’s the weekend, and you fancy a restorative dim sum

brunch but the kids would rather build sandcastles. Solution:

Beach Cuisine. Its row of alfresco tables under white

pagodas overlooks Sha Ha Beach. Watch the children play

in the sand while you linger over tasty har gow, prawn and

vegetable dumplings, cheung fan and fried lotus cakes.

Kayaks, windsurfers and even swan-shaped pedaloes can be

hired on the beach and, at low tide, the flat sand is perfect for

flying a kite or a game of family footie. Tai Mong Tsai Road,

Sha Ha, Sai Kung, 2792 4990, skbeach.com.hk.

Chip In

The heart-shaped potato on

the logo for Sai Kung chippy

Chip In indicates this is more

than a humble fish ’n’ chips

joint. Opened in November

2012, the British-style

takeaway was an instant hit

and won best new restaurant

in the Readers’ Choice

Awards 2013. Its crispy fat

chips and crunchy fried fish

made from ling cod and New

Zealand potatoes are firm

favourites with all age, and we

love the little touches such as the handmade postbox-shaped

trays. Other popular menu items include Marmite and cheese

sandwiches and Hong Kong’s only deep-fried Oreo. 9 King

Man Street, Sai Kung, 9761 5091.

Classified

A quick cup of java before you head out on a hike or a

refreshing afternoon tea when your excursion is over –

whatever you need, embrace Sai Kung’s burgeoning café

culture at Classified. As well as filling brunch and lunch

menus, there are all sorts of yummy cakes and muffins

that make a perfect pick-me-up if little stomachs are

feeling empty. Several outdoor tables plus a huge one just

inside the shop-front, which seats a family or two, means

kids can run off their sugar high in the square and still be

watched without their parents having to move a muscle.

G/F, 5 Sha Tsui Path, Sai Kung, 2529 3454.

Fat Kee Store

This quirky little dai pai dong in Sai Kung Country Park

may seem an odd choice to include in our kid-friendly

restaurant category, but bear with us. Close to Pak Tam

Chung, it sits at the head of the Sheung Yiu Family Walk

overlooking a small creek and footbridge. Work up an

appetite paddling in the river and visiting the Sheung Yiu

Folk Museum 10 minutes’ walk away. Hong Kong-style

noodle soup, rice dishes, hot tea and cold drinks will fill any

gaps. Pak Tam Chung, Sai Kung Country Park.

Jaspas

Few restaurants in Hong Kong are as family-friendly as this

one. That manager Sing has six children of his own possibly

helps to explain why kids feel so comfortable here. And then

there are the pots of crayons, paper tablecloths to draw on

and a children’s menu, complete with mum-pleasing healthy

choices. The selection of more grown-up fare is vast and

delicious too. Best of all, as far as kids are concerned, is the

restaurant’s location at the heart of Sai Kung’s main square

with its acreage of running-around space and playground full

of potential buddies. For laid-back fun, it’s got to be Jaspas.

13 Sha Tsui Path, Sai Kung, 2792 6388.

La Piazza

While not exactly on the picturesque streets of Florence, La

Piazza is Hang Hau’s answer to alfresco dining Italian-style.

Situated near popular steak restaurant Lardos, it offers

thin, crispy pizzas, ample portions of Italian staples such as

spaghetti Bolognaise and a daily selection of meat

and fish dishes and puddings. The

restaurant doesn’t have a kids’ menu

but is happy to split main meals into

smaller servings for children to share.

Create your own set by choosing

any appetiser, pasta and pizza from

the menu, and La Piazza will throw

in a free portion of fresh

garlic bread and two

cans of any soft drink.

Who needs Florence?

G/F, 24 Hang

Hau Village,

2719 5688.

47

Paisano’s

This summer, Paisano’s super-sized its original Sai Kung

restaurant with lots of extra tables. Its New York-style giant

pizza slices will satisfy even rumbliest of tummies, but if

you’re really hungry, try the 24-inch pizza challenge: two

people can eat for free if they can polish it off in 20 minutes.

27 Chan Man Street, Sai Kung, 2791 4445.

Seafood Island

Of all the Cantonese seafood restaurants in the area, this one

gets our child-friendly vote because of its location in car-free

Po Toi O. It has a small square, plenty of cats, fishtanks

and all manner of curious dried seafood. The menu features

children’s favourites such as salt-and-pepper-squid, fried

rice, steamed broccoli and piles of steamed prawns.

7 Po Toi O, Clearwater Bay, 2719 5730.

Sai Square

It’s all about location at Sai Square. Situated on the Sai Kung

seafront, it is a minute’s walk from a playground, the public

squash and tennis courts and Sai Kung swimming pool. Sai

Square has child-friendly Western and Asian dishes, including

spring rolls and excellent fries and a large dining space with plenty

of tables, a sofa-filled lounge and an alfresco vibe. There’s lots to

keep children entertained, from the endless parade of people and

pooches to the open spaces for rowdy games of tag. 1 Wai Man

Road, Sai Kung, 2792 8900, www.saisquare.com.hk.

Sha Tin 18

When you’ve exhausted all your pedal power on the waterfront

cycle paths in front of the Sha Tin Science Park, delicious dim

sum at the Hyatt Regency Sha Tin will see you right. Posher

than your average dim sum joint and with an alfresco terrace,

Sha Tin 18 has standout dim sum and perfect Peking duck.

Hyatt Regency, 18 Chak Cheung Street, Sha Tin, 3723 1234.

Steamers

Having lost a bit of its former blokeishness, Steamers is now

a great place for family fodder, especially if you can score a

table on the terrace. Lots of nibbles and platters to choose

from, plus yummy pizzas, curries and Sunday roasts. With

sport shown on the indoor screens and water bowls for the

dog, what’s not to love? Watch this space for Steamers’

new venue, Zest. 66 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 2792 6991,

www.steamerssaikung.com.

48

education

School daysWhen it comes to choosing the right school, do your homework.

PLAYGROUPS

Bright Buttons

Clearwater Bay’s early-education centre offers a number

of playgroup sessions for young children and their parents.

Bright Bambinos is a 90-minute social group offering

engaging activities for babies and toddlers, and a chance for

mums to meet. The hour-long Bright Babies sessions for little

ones aged three months to one year and their parents include

fun activities designed to develop skills. Bright Beginners are

one-hour classes for parents and children aged one to two

years that follow the British Early Years Foundation Stage

and include pre-reading skills, concepts and themes, music

and free play, with each child following an individual learning

plan. Bright Buttons builds on this curriculum with 90-minute

classes for two- to three-year-olds. Suite 9, Dairy Farm

Shopping Centre, 8 Razor Hill Road, Clearwater Bay,

admin@ brightbuttonsltd.com, www.brightbuttonsltd.com.

FunZone

Formerly known as Bumble Tots, this 5,000-square-foot,

indoor playground for the under-10s was set up by a local

mother frustrated by rainy days and Mondays. Stacked to

the bug-decorated rafters with fun activities, it encourages

active kids to bounce off the walls with slides, tubes, ball

pools, trampolines, gliders and balancing beams. There

are also quieter activity areas for drawing, an area for the

under-twos, and a café serving a decent cup of joe to keep

parents happy. It’s designed as a drop-in centre, with a pay-

once-play-all-day policy and the main rule seems to involve

wearing socks. Entry for a child accompanied by one adult

costs $80 (cheaper during happy hours), with monthly passes

available. An English playgroup for children aged 18 months

to 30 months is held at FunZone on Tuesday mornings,

10am-11am and 11.15am-12.15pm, including free play after

the session. A party room is available for 10-30 children (plus

10-30 adults). 1/F, The Waterside Mall, 15 On Chun Street,

Ma On Shan, 2631 4001.

Jungle Playroom

This drop-in jungle-themed playroom in Sai Kung Mid-Levels

is open to children from the age of six months to eight years.

It offers a fun, comfortable environment with large indoor and

outdoor play areas that allow children to explore, socialise

and share during free-play sessions – and a chance for

their parents to make friends too. Facilities include a mini

rollercoaster, rocking horses, reading corner, play-dough

and plenty of outdoor toys. Activities are conducted in

English and the playroom is open for casual drop-in sessions

on Mondays to Thursdays, 1.30pm-5pm, and Fridays from

9am-noon. It is also available for party hire for $1,000 for

three hours. 3 Tan Cheung Village (near Pepperoni’s),

Sai Kung, 2553 3825, admin@jungleplayroom.com,

www.jungleplayroom.com.

Sai Kung Playhouse

Get your babies and toddlers down to the Sai Kung Playhouse

for as much fun as under-fours can have. Having taken over

the space from Sweetpeas, the new owners are placing an

emphasis on free play and have added stacks more toys.

Activities such as painting and play-dough mean small

children can indulge their creative sides without anyone worrying

about the side effects on furniture and walls. There are separate

morning and afternoon sessions; children can either be

dropped off unaccompanied or with an adult in tow. Mother

and baby groups also available. 11 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung,

2792 5888, www.thesaikungplayhouse.com.

Pic

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49

SKIP (Sai Kung International Pre-School)

SKIP’s playgroups – Caterpillars (1.30pm-3.30pm, Tuesday

or Thursday) and Dragonflies (3.45pm-5.15pm, Tuesday

or Thursday) – are designed for children aged one to

three years. The groups provide a playful and stimulating

environment where children can interact with their peers

for the first time. Activities include indoor and outdoor

play, art and crafts, singing, dancing and music. Children

must be accompanied by an adult and, in Dragonflies,

the accompanying adult must be a parent rather than

a domestic helper as the session aims to provide an

opportunity for like-minded parents to meet.

In addition to its well-equipped classroom, colourfully

decorated with the children’s work, SKIP offers children the

opportunity to have fun outdoors in its spacious playground.

Protected by sunshades, the playground features an

arts and crafts area, a large sandpit and a grassy garden

complete with playhouses, swings and toys galore.

Its six-week “Summer Paint ‘n’ Play” programme, which

is open to all children in the Sai Kung community in July

and August, is practically an

institution. 259 Che Keng Tuk

Road (near Lion’s Nature &

Education Centre),

Sai Kung, 2791 7354,

www.skip.edu.hk.

Pic

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: Hon

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ong

Aca

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y

MontessoriMontessori combines individualised attention with a carefully

structured environment. Children work freely in mixed age

groups. Children’s innate passion for learning is encouraged

by giving them opportunities to engage in spontaneous,

purposeful activities with the guidance of a trained Montessori

teacher. Through their work, children develop concentration

and joyful self-discipline. Children progress at their own pace.

TraditionalThis is a more structured learning environment for children of

similar ages. Teachers generally plan the daily activities, and

children mostly are actively involved in group work, although

they do have opportunities to work alone. The idea is to help

children adapt to a classroom setting, and prepare them for a

more formal learning environment at primary level.

Waldorf SteinerThis programme has a structure built around routine

and rhythm. Children work in mixed age groups. The

classroom environment is homelike, includes natural

materials, and provides examples of productive work

in which children can take part. Lots of outdoor

activities are offered, accompanied by songs,

poems and games. ITS School Placements

Choosing a preschool programme

The best way to determine what preschool

programme is best for your child is to investigate

all your options, visit schools, observe classes and talk to friends with

older children.

50

educationKINDERGARTENS

Anfield International School

Anfield International School consists of three campuses: two

kindergartens (K1-K3) in Hung Hom and Kowloon Tong and

a primary school (up to Year Four) in Tai Wai, Sha Tin. Key

kindergarten staff and all primary teachers are recruited in

Britain and follow the Early Years Foundations Stage and the

English National Curriculum. Anfield also offers a Kiddies’ Club

with Toddlerobics for babies, a playgroup (18 months to three

years) and Pre-Kindergarten classes for those aged two years

and four months. Free play, dancing, arts and crafts, cooking

and Mandarin are just some of the activities on offer. School

bus service available. www.anfield.com.hk.

ESF Abacus

ESF Abacus offers an English-language education for children

aged two years and nine months to five years and educates

children from a diversity of backgrounds. It follows an inquiry-

based curriculum where children learn through exploration,

hands-on experiences and play-based activities, conducted

in the classroom as well as outdoors in the well-equipped

playground and garden area. It operates separate morning

and afternoon sessions, five days a week, with Mandarin taught

daily by a native speaker. Abacus also runs a playgroup for

children aged one to three years on Tuesday and Thursday

afternoons from 3.45pm-5.15pm. All children must be

accompanied by an adult. (Please note: No child attending an

ESF kindergarten is guaranteed an ESF Primary school or

PIS interview or placement.) School bus service available.

Mang Kung Uk Village, off Clearwater Bay Road, 2719 5712,

kinder@abacus.esf.org.hk, www.esf.org.hk.

Garden House

Garden House is a Waldorf-

inspired pre-school and

playgroup and offers a

flexible, child-led approach

to early years’ education.

It provides children with

an intermediate step between home and formal learning.

The 10,000-square-foot school includes a large covered play

area with outdoor play equipment, sandpit and a garden with

pets, herbs and flowers. Classroom materials are selected for

simplicity and teachers guide the class through example rather

than instruction. Every day, the children bake bread, set the

table and share fruit at snack time as well as engaging in artistic

activities, singing, story-telling and free play. There are Mandarin

and English sessions in the Parent and Child programmes (one

to three years); English and bilingual English/Mandarin classes

are taught at Nursery (two to three years) and kindergarten levels

(three to six years). Garden House has an organic farm nearby

that the children visit regularly. School bus service available.

7 Silverstrand Beach Road, Clearwater Bay, 2358 1177,

info@gardenhouse.hk, www.gardenhouse.hk.

German-Swiss International School

The German Swiss International School recently opened

a German-language kindergarten in Sai Kung. The school

promotes learning through play and uses different topics

from the child’s local environment to create programmes with

suitable games, songs and activities. Contact Eva Ubowski

on 2961 4008, or visit www.gsis.edu.hk.

Leapfrog

Situated just beyond the Pak Tam Chung barrier in the Sai

Kung Country Park, Leapfrog offers an idyllic environment (and

some of Hong Kong’s freshest air) for children experiencing

their first taste of “school”. A large outdoor playground is

stocked with colourful climbing frames, slides and playhouses,

bikes and trikes, and two messy play areas. Predominantly

parent run, its teachers and playgroup leaders are fully

qualified, English-speaking professionals who follow the British

Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. The school offers

three playgroups: Tadpoles (for one- to two-year-olds), Hoppers

(two- to three-year-olds) and a mixed playgroup (one- to three-

year-olds) with parent or helper accompaniment. The K1 and

K2 kindergarten classes are three hours long and combine

free play with structured elements such as daily numeracy and

phonics components, revolving around a different theme each

week. Music, arts and crafts and Mandarin are also offered.

11 Pak Tam Chung Village, Sai Kung Country Park, 2791 1540,

www.leapfrogkindergarten.org.

a love of learning and con�dence for lifeKellett Senior School, Kowloon Bay is currently accepting applications for Years 7 - 13.

Kellett School, The British International School in Hong Kong, is an English National Curriculum School.

For applications and further information visit www.kellettschool.com or email admissions@kellettschool.com

52

educationMills International Preschool

One of the newest kindergartens on the block, Mills

International Preschool offers 13,000-square-foot of fun-

filled facilities for K1 and K2 children. As well as English and

Mandarin activities, its professional teachers engage children

in all sorts of imaginative play, arts and crafts and games.

Playgroup classes are also available for kids aged one to

three-and-a-half. The Spectacle, 8 Cho Yuen Street, Yau Tong,

Kowloon, 2717 6336, www.millsinternational.com.hk.

SKIP

With a focus on learning

through play, SKIP’s

kindergarten section

comprises two classes,

Crickets (for three- to four-

year-olds) and Geckoes

(for four- to five-year olds),

which follow the English

Foundation Years Early

Stage curriculum. Crickets

runs three afternoons a week

and aims to offer children

a positive first experience

of school and encourage separation from parents. Geckoes

class runs five mornings a week and has a more rule-

orientated, structured curriculum that prepares children for

entry into primary school. School bus service available. 259

Che Keng Tuk Road, Sai Kung, 2791 7354, www.skip.edu.hk.

Sunshine House

Built around the philosophy “for the love of children”,

Sunshine House is committed to providing a vibrant and

nurturing environment to give children the best start in

life. The preschool caters for children aged six months to

six years with the littlest ones requiring parental or helper

accompaniment but able to go it alone once they hit the

ripe old age of two. Sunshine House runs six morning

classes a day, including English and Mandarin streams. Each

session starts with interactive circle time, followed by group

activities, structured and messy play and arts and crafts,

and teaches the children the rudiments of mathematics,

science and reading. Regular outings and extra-curricular

activities such as cookery, arts and crafts are offered. The

Starseeds bilingual programme, which follows the English

National Curriculum, caters for children aged five to six years

and helps to prepare for primary school. School bus service

available. Level 7, Silverstrand Mart, 2 Silver Cape Road,

Clearwater Bay, 2358 3803, clearwaterbay@sunshinehouse.

com.hk, www.sunshinehouse.com.hk.

Woodlands Sai Kung

Located in Marina Cove,

Woodlands Sai Kung is

part of a group of 10 Hong

Kong pre-schools. It follows

the Early Years Foundation

Stage of the English National

Curriculum, with children

of similar ages learning in

groups actively directed

by a teacher. Colourful,

spacious and welcoming, the

7,000-square-foot preschool

can enroll up to 250 children

aged six months to five years in its various part-time and

full-time classes. These include Rollers (six to 12 months),

Hoglets (12 to 18 months) and Hedgehogs (mother-toddler

group from18 months to two years, four months); a pre-school

caters for children from 2.8 years. The classes explore a variety

of themes, which change on a monthly basis, through crafts,

activities, learning exercises and stories. Regular Mandarin

lessons, outdoor play and snack times are also part of the

daily routine. School bus service available. Shop D, G/F,

Marina Cove Shopping Centre, Hiram’s Highway, Sai Kung,

2813 0290, saikung@woodlandschools.com,

www.woodlandschools.com.

Wu Kai Sha Kindergarten

The newest ESF kindergarten is located near Wu Kai

Sha MTR station and has a wealth of resources. As

well as seven airy classrooms, equipped with the latest

information technology, it has a large indoor play area and

an outdoor area for sand and water play, and gardening. The

kindergarten caters for children aged three to five years (K1

and K2) in two sessions a day, five days a week. Level 1, 599

Sai Sha Road, Sha Tin, 2435 5291, kinder@wks.esf.org.hk.

54

educationPRIMARY

Australian International

School

When it opened in

Kowloon Tong on Australia

Day,1995 AIS had enrolled

just 25 children, today it

teaches more than 1,100

pupils from reception at

age four to Year 12. It

follows the Australian primary-school curriculum and also

offers a wide range of activities including netball, volleyball,

swimming in its own indoor pool, rugby, soccer and the

performing arts. Priority is given to Australian passport

holders and siblings but other nationalities are accepted.

www.aishk.edu.hk.

Bright Sparks, Woodlands

With the Primary One intake oversubscribed at ESF schools,

local kindergarten Woodlands Sai Kung decided to start its

own. Bright Sparks prepares children for international school

systems and follows Key Stage One of the English National

Curriculum. Class sizes are small, allowing children to work

at their own pace. Shop D, G/F, Marina Cove Shopping

Centre, Hiram’s Highway, Sai Kung, 2813 0290, saikung@

woodlandschools.com, www.woodlandschools.com.

Life at the school gate – a mum’s view

ESF Clearwater Bay School (CWBS)

The ESF primary school for the Clearwater

Bay and Sai Kung catchment area

currently has about 720 pupils. It follows

the International Baccalaureate’s Primary

Years Programme (PYP), a concept-based

curriculum based on six trans-disciplinary

themes, which incorporate maths, English,

science, social studies, art, music,

physical, personal and social education.

The curriculum is designed to foster the development of the

whole child, not just in the classroom but also through

other means of learning. The PYP focuses on the total

growth of the developing child encompassing social,

physical, emotional and cultural needs in addition to

academic welfare.

Mandarin is taught daily and although on-site sports

facilities are limited, use is often made of local facilities.

The various sports teams in years five and six more than

hold their own in inter-school competitions. CWBS is a

friendly school with a strong parent/teacher association and

a huge sense of community and belonging. Clearwater Bay

Road, 2358 3221, info@cwbs.edu.hk, www.cwbs.edu.hk.

Other ESF primary schools in the wider area include Sha

Tin Junior School (www.sjs.edu.hk) and Kowloon Junior

in Ho Man Tin (www.kjs.edu.hk).

I am a child of the 1960s, so you can probably make

an educated stab at my age. I have never been one for

spending time on my appearance and in my younger, more

confident days had an arrogant disdain of women who

weren’t out the door and ready for action in 10 minutes.

It’s an attitude that hasn’t changed much – although my

looks certainly have.

My appearance at the school gate is sweaty in

summer and in winter I turn up in whatever clothes I

happen to pick out in the dark, early-morning dash. No

matter what the season, I usually look somewhat maniacal

owing to caffeine overload or the after-effects of the

night before.

One sticky summer’s pick-up, Glam Mum made the

mistake of giving me a hug, which didn’t last long as I slid

damply out of her grasp. She had a struggle to hide her

distaste. And I once made the mistake of arriving in day-glo

trainers from an earlier workout session. Fashion Mum

spotted them immediately and suffice to say spare footwear

is now on hand.

But the definitive comment on mums at the gate came

from my youngest offspring, strapped into his pram one hot

afternoon as we waited for his siblings. I was in my usual

soggy state by the time I joined the assembled throng, where

I watched Euro Mum make one of her elegant arrivals.

Euro Mum never perspires. Ever. She wears to-the-

minute fashion with style, ease and just the right amount of

make-up. My son loves her.

On this particular day, she floated down to the gate in

a handkerchief of silk that plunged to reveal perfect Euro

cleavage. As she bent over Darling No.3 in his pram, filling

his vision with flawless Euro decolletage, his face broke into

an enormous beaming smile.

I returned to my car hot and defeated, knowing I would

never be able to compete with this vision of Euro chic.

Later, telling the offspring’s father about the incident, I

hoped for some reassurance that I, too, could bring a smile

to a boy’s face. My husband turned to me with a nostalgic

sigh. “Lucky sod,” he said.

Mother-in-the-Middle

Start your child’s learning journey with ESF International Kindergartens

Learning through inquiry and a play-based curriculumIB Primary Years ProgrammeSpecialist Language is ChineseWell equipped, stimulating and spacious learning environmentsAll classes taught by well qualified early years teachersApplications for the 2014/15 school year open October 2013

www.esfkindergartens.org.hkESF Educational Services Limited

Where Inquiry GrowsOur spacious kindergartens provide the perfect environment for young learners. With well-resourced classrooms, great access to current learning technologies, indoor and outdoor play areas, young children are presented with multiple opportunities to learn, socialise and develop their skills.

Abacus at Clearwater Bayan IB World School

Tel: 2719 5712Hillside on Stubbs Road*Tel: 2540 0066*Candidate school for the IB PYP

Tsing Yian IB World School

Tel: 2436 3355Wu Kai Shaan IB World School

Tel: 2435 5291

Visit us now and see for yourself!

ESF Educational Services Limited

SaiKung & Southside Kindergarten Full Page - FINAL.indd 1 20/8/13 4:03 PM

56

education

Hong Kong Academy

HKA recently opened a spanking new 20,000-square-metre

campus in Sai Kung for children from pre-kindergarten to

high school. An International

Baccalaureate World School

that follows the IB curriculum,

HKA aims to provide a

diverse and collaborative

learning environment in which

students become adaptable,

confident and tolerant adults.

With a current enrollment of

about 500 students, HKA

is looking to expand to

650 students. 2655 1111,

www.hkacademy.edu.hk.

Draw up a realistic revision timeline with goals and deadlines – and stick to it. Find out if your child is a visual or auditory learner, or

both. Visual learners perform better when they copy

notes, use flash cards or highlight notes in different

colours. Auditory learners remember details better

when they discuss topics with study mates or read their

notes out loud. Introduce mnemonic devices: acronyms and phrases to

help remember facts in the same category. Reorganise revision notes. Don’t let your child work

from messy pages. Restructure notes in bullet points and key phrases

rather than blocks of text. Ignore unnecessary points. A useful tip is to set your

child a timed practice paper but let them bring one A4

page of notes into the open book “test”. Children will

condense their notes onto their “cheat sheet” without

realising they’ve done so. Encourage your child to find a place where they can

study effectively. If a bedroom is too distracting, try the

library, school or even a coffee shop. Support a healthy learning environment at home.

Don’t let younger siblings become a nuisance. Get extra help early. If your child is struggling to make

sense of certain subjects, seek expert help. Don’t let your child over work. Make sure he or she gets

plenty of sleep, exercises and takes proper breaks. Make sure your child gets started before it’s too late.

Tips on preparing for exams

Growing Young Leaders atHarrow International School Hong KongHarrow International School Hong Kong, the first international boarding and day school in Hong Kong, opened in September 2012. The School provides a distinctive education from Early Years to Sixth Form with a strong emphasis on leadership and team-working skills outlined in the clear and distinctive vision statement, Leadership for a better world.

The School aims to develop in its students the leadership skills to make a positive difference through people to the communities in which they live and there are high expectations in the classroom, in extra-curricular activities and pastoral care throughout the School.

CurriculumThe academic curriculum is based on the National Curriculum for England leading towards public examinations at IGCSE and A-level. The School’s specific academic objectives are significant value-added academic performance, first rate A-level results and entry to top universities.

Extra-curricular programmeThe extra-curricular activities programme aims for excellence to be achieved in sports, music, art, drama and cultural activities, while encouraging a breadth of participation in those activities that help students meet key extra-curricular themes: service, charity, teamwork, creative expression, leadership and challenge. Distinctively, the activities programme is integrated into the School day as well as the post-School enrichment programme.

Pastoral careThe quality of relationships and community life, and the personal formation of character are fundamental to the life of Harrow Hong Kong. The focus of pastoral care changes from the class teacher in the Lower School (up to Year 5) to House Masters and House Mistresses in the Upper School (Year 6 - 13). Boarding, which begins from Year 6, is integral to the life of the School. Over half of the students in the Upper School are boarders, but all students in the Upper School benefit from being members of the close-knit community of a boarding House.

Deadline for August 2014 entryYear 12 1st November 2013Year 6 - 10 1st January 2014

Harrow International School Hong Kong38 Tsing Ying Road, Tuen MunNew Territories, Hong KongTel: +852 2824 9099Fax: +852 2824 9928www.harrowschool.hk

Forest House International Waldorf School

An offshoot of Garden House Kindergarten, Forest House is

a new school in the Clearwater Bay area and the first Waldorf

School in Hong Kong. It currently offers P1 classes at a

temporary site but is hoping to move to permanent premises

once it gets the green light from the government. The non-

profit international school aims to nurture the child in all

capacities – physical, emotional, intellectual, aesthetic, moral

and spiritual – with subjects such as art, music, gardening

and foreign languages central to the the curriculum. No

grades are given to discourage competitiveness and

there is no rote learning from textbooks. 1/F, 7 Silverstrand

Beach Road, Clearwater Bay, enquiry@waldorf.edu.hk,

www.waldorf.edu.hk.

Harrow International School (HIS)

With a main building modelled on the Georgian proportions

of the Royal Crescent in Bath, England, HIS in Tuen Mun

has a mammoth 400,000-square-foot campus. It houses

facilities for more than 400 boarding students from years six

to 13, a full teaching staff and classroom facilities for about

1,500 students. Following the English National Curriculum,

the Pre-Prep Phase at Harrow International School Hong

Kong spans Years One to Five with each year divided into six

half-termly themes that drive the curriculum. As well as maths

and English, each class receives specialist teaching in music,

swimming and a second language of Mandarin, French or

Spanish. HIS also offers four groups in its Early Years phase:

a crèche, pre-K, K1 and K2. 38 Tsing Ying Road, Tuen Mun,

2824 9099, info@harrowschool.hk, www.harrowschool.hk.

A+

Growing Young Leaders atHarrow International School Hong KongHarrow International School Hong Kong, the first international boarding and day school in Hong Kong, opened in September 2012. The School provides a distinctive education from Early Years to Sixth Form with a strong emphasis on leadership and team-working skills outlined in the clear and distinctive vision statement, Leadership for a better world.

The School aims to develop in its students the leadership skills to make a positive difference through people to the communities in which they live and there are high expectations in the classroom, in extra-curricular activities and pastoral care throughout the School.

CurriculumThe academic curriculum is based on the National Curriculum for England leading towards public examinations at IGCSE and A-level. The School’s specific academic objectives are significant value-added academic performance, first rate A-level results and entry to top universities.

Extra-curricular programmeThe extra-curricular activities programme aims for excellence to be achieved in sports, music, art, drama and cultural activities, while encouraging a breadth of participation in those activities that help students meet key extra-curricular themes: service, charity, teamwork, creative expression, leadership and challenge. Distinctively, the activities programme is integrated into the School day as well as the post-School enrichment programme.

Pastoral careThe quality of relationships and community life, and the personal formation of character are fundamental to the life of Harrow Hong Kong. The focus of pastoral care changes from the class teacher in the Lower School (up to Year 5) to House Masters and House Mistresses in the Upper School (Year 6 - 13). Boarding, which begins from Year 6, is integral to the life of the School. Over half of the students in the Upper School are boarders, but all students in the Upper School benefit from being members of the close-knit community of a boarding House.

Deadline for August 2014 entryYear 12 1st November 2013Year 6 - 10 1st January 2014

Harrow International School Hong Kong38 Tsing Ying Road, Tuen MunNew Territories, Hong KongTel: +852 2824 9099Fax: +852 2824 9928www.harrowschool.hk

58

education

Preparing your child for school interviews. By ITS School Placements. Children as young as two-and-a-half years old may

be called for a screening interview or assessment at

international schools in Hong Kong. These usually take

place from November to March and can be a stressful

time for parents and children.

Most interviews are similar to a mini class with six to

eight children engaging in group activities conducted by

two or three teachers. Your child’s English or Mandarin

skills will be tested through conversation but children

won’t be asked to demonstrate skills and knowledge

beyond their school age.

Ensuring your child can understand and follow simple

instructions is probably the most important aspect of an

interview.

As well as confidence levels, instill etiquette. Children

are expected to greet teachers formally, thank them at the

end and maintain good eye contact.

Make sure your child is willing to respond and

communicate.

Children are typically asked their names and about

family members, where they live or when their birthday is.

They need to answer in full sentences.

Primary-level children may be tested on phonics,

numbers and basic reading skills. Fluency in English is

essential for most international schools.

Some educators argue that the best preparation is no

preparation at all. It is important not to bombard your child

with questions that make him or her nervous.

“The best advice I can give is to encourage your child

to be as friendly and cooperative as possible with new

teachers and children. In a child’s world, this equates to

‘be good’, ‘be nice’ and ‘play with other children’,” says

Anne Murphy, director, ITS School Placements, which

provides an education consulting service.

Close encounters

Hong Lok Yuen International School

The green and open spaces of this school’s location, north

of Tai Po, plus its strong community atmosphere make it

unique. The school introduced the IB PYP curriculum in 2006

and opened a sister school, the International College Hong

Kong, in the northern New Territories in September 2009.

Together, the two schools provide through-train education

from kindergarten to Year 13. HLYIS has 430 pupils of 36

nationalities, about 60 per cent of whom are from expatriate

families. A strong Mandarin programme is offered, which

includes daily lessons and a class teaching Mandarin as a

first language. 3 Twentieth Street, Hong Lok Yuen, 2658 6935,

www.hlyis.edu.hk.

Japanese International School (JIS)

Located on the edge of the Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve,

JIS offers all the advantages of a smaller school through

its community atmosphere and the importance it places on

personal relationships. Its international section has about

170 students from 20 countries and lessoms are taught

in English, although students are also required to study

either Mandarin or Japanese. The school has its own

indoor swimming pool, an astro-turf field and specialised

classrooms. A bus service to various areas in Hong Kong is

available. 2834 3531, esinfo@jis.edu.hk, www.jis.edu.hk.

Kellett School

Kellett School opened a state-of-the-art primary- and

secondary-school campus in September on a 9,500sqm site

in Kowloon Bay for children aged four to 18. It offers a British-

style education, leading to GCSE/IGCSE and A Levels, with

maximum class sizes of 23 children. The new campus (which

complements the highly regarded primary school in Pok Fu

Lam) has a rooftop multi-sport Sky Pitch with artificial turf

and a running track, a six-lane indoor pool as well as indoor

sport and performance spaces. With two forms in each year

group, the primary section will offer up to 300 new student

places. kellett@kellettschool.com, www.kellettschool.com.

Renaissance College (RCHK)

Situated in Heng On, near Ma On Shan, Renaissance

College is a Private Independent School set up by the

ESF, but unlike other ESF schools it doesn’t receive a

government subsidy. It is an authorised IB school with

1,750 students from years one to 13. Facilities include a

25-metre indoor swimming pool, a 750-seat theatre and

two rooftop astro-turf pitches. RCHK offers 85 academic

and music scholarships. 5 Hang Ming Street, Ma On Shan,

3556 3556, www.renaissance.edu.hk.

59

Private Tuition in the Comfort of Your Home.Maths, Music, Science, Mandarin and More!

Call us on 5321 4400 info@saikungtutors.com @www.SaiKungTutors.com

WHAT IS A DEBENTURE?

A debenture is the name given to a loan agreement with an

institutional borrower, such as a school. For parents, this

translates into a large lump sum payable to the school on or

before admission. Hong Kong schools sometimes call debentures

Capital Notes, Nomination Rights or a Capital Contribution or

Levy, but they are still essentially the same thing.

What is it for?Most schools state that the annual fees cover the school’s

running costs but not its capital costs. Debentures are a way

for parents to contribute to long-term funding. Many schools

(including some pre-schools) require parents of new students

to pay a debenture on admission. Others allow them to buy a

debenture before beginning the admissions process to earn

priority in the selection system.

How much is a debenture?In Hong Kong, they range from HK$25,000 for ESF schools

to HK$10 million for a top international school. Some schools

reduce the price for younger siblings. There is a “secondhand”

debenture market when a school is “sold out” and existing

holders are permitted to transfer their debentures. The transfer

price may be set by market demands or capped by the school,

which may also take a cut of the sale price.

What kind of debenture do I need?Common types include individual or corporate; refundable,

non-refundable or depreciating. An individual debenture

applies to one child in a family and cannot normally be

transferred. A corporate debenture is held by a company

and can be used for a child of an employee. The company

may transfer this debenture if the employee decides to leave.

In these circumstances, some schools allow the child to stay

while others insist the child withdraws immediately once he or

she is no longer covered by the corporate debenture. Children

with a corporate debenture often receive priority at admissions.

Refundable, non-refundable or depreciating?When the child leaves, some schools will refund the full debenture,

without interest and less any penalties. In others, the debenture

depreciates over a set number of years, sometimes to zero. In

a few schools, it depreciates to zero in seven years and parents

must buy a new debenture if the child is to continue at the school.

What if I can’t afford a debenture?Some schools offer parents an alternative method of funding

the school – a capital levy. This is different from a debenture

in that it may be paid yearly and is refundable. It may amount

to the same or more than the debenture over the course of

the child’s schooling. Ruth Benny

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marketplace

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marketplace

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Richiewise Sophia Learning

IB/ AP/ GCSE/ IGCSE/ GCE/ DSE/

SAT/ ACT/ GED/ TOEFL/University level

Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology,

Physics, Finance, Economics

Please email richiewisesophia@gmail.com

OR call 64374148 for details

Hong Kong’s Youth Performance Club

Singing

R un by i n dus try p ro f es si on al C la ss es f or a ges 3 – 18 ye ars

Dancing

www.theislandgleeclub.com email: info@theislandgleeclub.com

Stage Craft

64

health list

Who you gonna call?

Health services

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE

Yan Chai Hospital Sai Kung Community Chinese Medicine Clinic

8 Mei Yuen Street, Sai Kung, 2791 7222.

DOCTORS

Dr Rosemary Barnett, Dr David Henderson,

Dr Helen Duckworth-Smith

OT&P Bay Practice, 1/F, Razor Hill, Dairy Farm Shopping Centre,

Clearwater Bay Road, Pik Uk, 2719 6366, www.otandp.com. Dr Siu Yuk-kiu

Shop 61, Sai Kung Town Villa, 22-40 Fuk Man Road,

Sai Kung, 2792 1601, ykmp@netvigator.com.

HAIR SALONS

Green Wave Salon

25 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 2792 2221.

Hair by Mike

1/F, 7 Silverstrand Beach Road, Clearwater Bay, 2335 5018.

Tala’s Hair & Beauty

56 Po Tung Road, 2335 1694, www.talashair.com.

HOSPITALS

Mona Fong Clinic (Public general outpatient clinic)

23 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung, 2792 2601

(booking hotline: 3157 0652).

Prince of Wales

30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Sha Tin, 2632 2211,

pwh_enquiry@ha.org.hk.

Tseung Kwan O (nearest Accident & Emergency department

to Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay)

2 Po Ning Lane, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O, 2208 0111.

Union

18 Fu Kin Street, Tai Wai, Sha Tin, 2608 3388, www.union.org.

United Christian

130 Hip Wo Street, Kwun Tong, 2379 9611, www.uch.org.hk.

MIDWIFERY

Hulda Garsdottir, Annerley Midwives

6291 7400, hulda@annerley.com.hk, www.annerley.com.hk.

NAILS & BEAUTY A-Nails

9B Wang Street, Sai Kung, 2792 1099, www.a-nails.com.hk.

Anna Thai & Foot Massage (including sport massage)Tak Lung Back Street, Sai Kung, 9354 7606, 6622 5398. Nail HouseHang Hau Village, 9288 6119.Sabai Day Spa2/F, 10D, Po Tung Road, 2791 2259, www.sabaidayspa.com.Seafoot Reflexology 1/F, 60 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, 2791 0328. Sense of TouchG/F, 77 Man Nin Street, 2791 2278, www.senseoftouch.com.hk.Tranquillity Foot Spa 1/F King Wah Building, 11 King Man Street, Sai Kung, 2792 0821.

HOLISTIC

Angie Tourani BodyTalk holistic treatment and MindScape instructor, 6683 5755, www.bodytalksystem.com.hk.

NANNY AGENCY

Naturally Nannywww.naturallynanny.com.

OPTICIANMichael Cheuk Optical Sai Kung Town Centre, Fuk Man Road, Sai Kung, 2792 0929.

PHARMACY

Wing Ling Dispensary18 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung, 2792 0537.

PHYSIOTHERAPY

Clara YauOT&P, 2719 6366.Sai Kung Orthopedic Physiotherapy and Pain Centre Shop 70 ,G/F, Sai Kung Town C, 22-40 Fuk Man Road, Sai Kung, 2792 9366, info@skop.com.hk, www.skop.com.hk.Sai Kung Physiotherapy G/F, Hoi Pong Street, Sai Kung, www.saikungphysio.com.

PODIATRY

Heidi Corcoran2335 1694/6255 0088.Lisa MillinerOT&P, 2719 6366.

G/F 13 Sha Tsui Path, Sai Kung, New Territories

"We Thank YOU!" Best Family Restaurant 3 Years Running!! Jaspas Sai Kung

www.casteloconcepts.com

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numbers

Important numbersCAR MECHANICS

Adrian Sing: 6030 0484Golden Sun: 2792 2808HP Cars: 2558 0222Sai Kung Motors: 2792 2998Sun On Motor Services: 2792 4280

DOCTORS

Dr Siu Yuk-kiu: 2792 1601OT&P: 2719 6366

DRY CLEANING

Royal Laundry & Dry Cleaning:

2705 9328Sai Kung Laundry & Dry Cleaning:

2792 6816

ELECTRICIANS/HANDYMEN

Indo Handyman: 2578 1865Marco: 6190 8051The Handyman HK: 9268 0514

GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS

Agriculture & Fisheries (call centre): 1823Health Department: 2961 8989Sai Kung District Council: 3740 5200

HONG KONG OBSERVATORY

Website: www.hko.gov.hk

General enquiries: 2926 8200Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal

Enquiries: 1828 200

HONG KONG TOURISM BOARD

Visitor hotline: 2508 1234

HOSPITALS

Public:Prince of Wales, Sha Tin: 2632 2211Queen Elizabeth, Jordan: 2958 8888Tseung Kwan O: 2208 0111Tuen Mun Hospital: 2468 5111United Christian, Kwun Tong:

2379 9611

Private:Hong Kong Adventist Hospital,

Stubbs Road: 3651 8888Hong Kong Baptist Hospital, Kowloon

Tong: 2339 8888Hong Kong Sanitorium & Hospital,

Happy Valley: 2572 0211Matilda International Hospital,

The Peak: 2849 1500St Teresa’s Hospital, Kowloon City:

2200 3434Union Hospital, Sha Tin: 2608 3388

KENNELS

Ferndale: 2792 4642Kennel Van Dego: 2792 6889

LOCKSMITH

Tung Tai Key Cut: 2792 4886

MAN WITH A VAN

KNS Van: 5403 5618

PEST & TERMITE CONTROL

BioCycle: 3575 2575

PHONE DIRECTORY ENQUIRIES

English: 1081Chinese: 1083Overseas IDD: 10010

PLUMBERS

Lung Hing Engineering: 2792 9787Vandalies: 6319 4745

POLICE DEPARTMENTS Website: www.police.gov.hk

Police hotline: 2527 7177Sai Kung Police Station: 2792 1279Tseung Kwan O Police Station:

6277 4500

POST OFFICE

Hong Kong Post, Sai Kung: 2792 2243

SUPERMARKETS

Fusion, Clearwater Bay Road: 2335 5506Marketplace by Jason, Razor Hill:

2358 0542ParknShop, Sai Kung Town: 2791 1759Taste, East Point City, Hang Hau:

3541 9573Wellcome, Sai Kung Town: 2791 1841

TRANSPORT

Hong Kong International Airport,

general enquiries: 2181 8888MTR Train Service & Airport Express,

24-hr passenger hotline: 2881 8888Taxis: 2729 1199/ 2728 8281/ 2697 4333 / 2729 6600 / 2383 0168Taxi Lost and Found 24hr hotline:

3620 3744

UTILITIES

China Light & Power, 24hr hotline:

2728 8333LPG Gas (Paul): 9097 2235

Water Supplies Department,

customer services hotline: 2824 5000

VETS

Animal Behaviour Vet Practice: 9618 2475Animal Emergency Centre: 2915 3999 Best Friends Veterinary Hospital:

2792 8555Creature Comforts: 9773 0372Homevet: 9860 5522Pets Central: 2792 0833Sai Kung Animal Medical Centre:

2791 0308SPCA Sai Kung: 2792 1535Vet2Pet: 6999 1003

EMERGENCY SERVICES

(police, ambulance, fire)

999Fire: 2723 2233

Rescue: 2735 3355Marine: 2803 6267

www.aishk.edu.hk

Located in Kowloon Tong, the Australian International School Hong Kong (AISHK) is a leading Reception to Year 12 international school with a reputation for outstanding academic performance. Our mission is to provide a world-class international school where students, through active participation, achieve their personal best and graduate as skilled, influential and responsible international citizens.

“Curiosity, Creativity & Collaboration”

AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL HONG KONG3A Norfolk Road, Kowloon Tong, Hong KongT: +852 2304 6078 F: +852 2304 6077 E: info@aishk.edu.hk

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Sai Kung Family Guide Full Page Ad Bleed.pdf 1 11/09/2013 8:06:29 AM

For 35 years Woodland has set the standard inHong Kong for quality early years education. With ten schools, Woodland offers the only

accredited early years education in Hong Kong.

Sai Kung

• Nursery & Pre-School classes for children up to 6 years old• Extra Curricular Clubs for children aged 3 yrs plus

• Buses available for neighbouring areas

www.woodlandschools.com

For further information please contact Ms Angela Chan:

Shop D, G/F Marina Cove Shopping Centre, Sai Kung, New TerritoriesTel: 2813 0290 Fax: 2719 2938 Email: saikung@woodlandschools.com