First Virtual Fireside Chat with CAIS IB Educators
First Virtual Fireside Chat with CAIS IB Educators
March 3, 2021
CAIS hosted its first virtual IB Diploma Programme Fireside Chat on 25 February, with attendees joining live to hear from CAIS educators Ms Prudence Yeung, IB Mathematics Teacher and Mr Charles Grayson, Senior Student Services Manager, to learn more about IB Diploma Programme at CAIS.
The Fireside Chat began with a sample IB Mathematics lesson delivered by Ms Yeung, followed by a discussion led by Ms Yeung and Mr Grayson as they shined a light on the characteristics of the international curriculum from their perspective as educators, and how IB courses would look like at CAIS.
"It is well with my soul"
"It is well with my soul"
February 26, 2021
One of my favourite Christian hymns (song) is one titled, “It is well with my soul”, written by Horatio Spafford in the 18th century. The true story behind this hymn is tragic and yet there is a beauty in the experience Horatio shares through the hymn.
After some significant business losses in America, Horatio sent his wife and four daughters on a ship to England, intending to join them after finalising some business transactions. Tragically, the ship sunk, with a loss of 226 lives, including all four of Horatio’s daughters. Horatio’s wife survived and sent a telegram to inform Horatio of the tragedy, with just two words, “Saved alone”.
Horatio immediately set sail to join his wife, and as the ship passed by the area where his daughters perished, Horatio was moved to write the hymn, “It is well with my soul”.
The words of the hymn are below and they speak of complete trust and comfort in God during times of difficulty. The first verse “When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll” speak of the two sides of life experiences: the good times and the tough times. In both experiences, we can find internal peace with God. In John 14:27 Jesus tells us that we can have immediate and eternal peace from Him.
In my life and in particular the past 10 years, I have lost both my parents, my sister, my sister in law and my brother in law, and in 2010/2011, was Head of a Christian school in Christchurch during the devasting earthquakes. While my wife and I grieved the loss of family members, our peace came from only one person, Jesus Christ. We were comforted by friends, and that was essential, but our greatest comfort, where we could sing ‘It is well with my soul’, came from God.
There is a peace from God which carries us through difficult times. God also offers us an everlasting peace, and that is through what appears to a tragedy at first, but in fact is the most loving gift of all – the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace who died for us, and rose again conquering death.
Living in Hong Kong during a time of pandemic, economic and social turmoil can easily cause us to be anxious and fearful. May I offer you a path of hope, a path of peace, a path you will find in Jesus Christ. That is the comfort and hope our teachers share with your children to give them peace.
May the Lord grant us all, His comfort and peace.
Richard Vanderpyl
Head of School
It Is Well with My Soul – Horatio G. Spafford
1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well with my soul”
Chorus: It is well with my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul
2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
3. My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
4. And Lord haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
CAIS joins panel discussion on the future of education
CAIS joins panel discussion on the future of education
February 9, 2021
Without any system of rankings and ratings, how do you choose a secondary school for your child? Generally accepted wisdom tells us to consider learning programs/styles, subject choices to further education pathways and to talk to existing students and parents. In this webinar, we put the leaders in the spotlight to share their values and visions for their own school.
What worked for your child in primary school may no longer work for your almost-teen. Adolescence is a time of huge change physically and emotionally and your child will encounter all sorts of issues as they grow. Their secondary school needs to be able to support them socially, emotionally as well as academically.
Is the school taking a whole-child approach or is it more focused on academic achievement? How is the school progressing and how do children of different abilities get on? How do they look after the emotional needs of teenagers? Where do their students go on to when they leave? How does the school engage parents? what strategies do they have in place for students that aren’t achieving their potential? What is their value add?
CAIS Head of School Mr Richard Vanderpyl joined a virtual conference “The Future of Education” on 23 January 2021 and shared insights on secondary education and the significance of striking a balance between academic achievement and emotional development.
The panel discussion was also joined by The Harbour School Hong Kong and German Swiss International School.
Meet CAIS teachers: Sophie Chen and Agnes Fung
Meet CAIS teachers: Sophie Chen and Agnes Fung
February 8, 2021
Agnes Fung and Sophie Chen are the Chinese Language Team Leads for primary and secondary sections respectively at Christian Alliance International School (CAIS) where it offers the most robust and dynamic learning atmosphere among international schools in Hong Kong.
With large social gatherings and overseas travel still off the cards, the two Chinese Language educators show us how they are using language to bring our community together, while staying apart.
What are some of the biggest challenges to help non-Chinese speakers pick up Chinese Language?
Helping students build and maintain momentum in learning and cultivating a language-rich learning environment are among some of the biggest challenges for us. Conversation practice beyond the classroom is essential for making language learning successful.
Yet our environment here in Hong Kong might have placed limitations to keep students motivated and speak the language in everyday life. Looking at learning from our perspective as teachers, it’s important for teachers and students to find common ground on language learning. By creating and designing bespoke courses and learning tools, e.g. online interactive teaching games, digital audio books, board games, etc., both native and non-Chinese speakers are engaged and empowered by the joy of learning a second language.
How do you structure the lessons and develop initiatives to deepen students’ cultural awareness?
There are no shortcuts to sparking students’ curiosity in learning and appreciating Chinese culture and language. Instead of spoon-feeding students, we encourage students to form habits and make language learning a part of their everyday life. In addition to school events including Chinese New Year Fun Fair – a flagship event at CAIS inviting students to celebrate the Chinese tradition – students are also invited to get involved in producing videos to engage with their peers to learn more about Chinese festivities and traditions. On the international level, students participated in cultural exchange tours to Beijing, Shanghai, Taiwan and Singapore where they gained new perspectives on Asian culture. Christian values are often instilled in our learning process which fosters community building.
Why learning a second language is important for children’s growth?
Being bilingual (or even multilingual) is vital as it gives individuals a distinctive edge in an increasingly globalised world. Language skills enable students to communicate effectively which open doors to grow and develop personally and professionally, offering them an academic advantage and improving their career prospects.
What challenges did our learning community overcome during online lessons?
Trying to engage students over a virtual classroom is certainly the biggest challenge we faced head on since the very first day of virtual learning. While distanced learning presented its own challenges, it did not compromise the opportunity for students to keep learning.
Cultivating a deeper connection with students help them learn better and is still doable during online lessons. We are always looking for ways to create conversations and bond with students. The partnership between teacher and parent is another area that we are keen to explore and enhance for a better online learning experience.
What successes did you have?
Having seen students enjoying online and face-to-face classes in the past year, and smiling in classes under their masks are some of the things that meant a lot to us. Our Chinese Language team has become bigger, more sophisticated in terms of teaching strategies, lesson plans and student engagement initiatives. Cultural elements have been integrated into the learning process to make students feel motivated, which can lead to success outside the classroom.
What did our students and teachers experience in 2020 that you want them to keep on experiencing in 2021?
Teachers and students in every school were under massive pressure in 2020 because of the fluid and volatile situation, but we remained positive to find solutions and make adjustments during the process. Some of the moments that we would like to experience again this year includes:
- Being flexible – teachers were quick on their feet to get creative to remove barriers and make learning possible, either online or offline
- Being self-disciplined – both teachers and students worked hard to progress despite a relatively less structured learning timetable
- Being humble – we all learn to respect our planet and think about how our actions affect the environment.
Do you have a favourite Chinese folk tale that you would recommend to all students?
There’s a Chinese folk tale which talks about the importance of habits. The story goes like this: A teenager lives in a house with a pit. He likes to wander around his house while studying but often got tripped over the pit. Initially he felt annoyed but later got used to it. One day, the teenager’s father fixed the pit and what caught the teenager by surprise was the way he got used to not walking on a ground that is perfectly flat, and without a pit!
We understand that habit is second nature. Forming good habits and making them stick are important to students (and everyone)! In the end, we count on the partnership between parent and teacher and student to make this happen!
Hope
Hope
January 29, 2021
As I follow the news about Coronavirus and its impact on people, and communities, it is easy to begin to despair. Questions quickly rise, such as ‘when will this end?’, ‘Is the vaccine safe?’, ‘When can I travel to see family again?’, or ‘When can I stop wearing a facemask?’
We search for answers, and hope that everything will return to the ‘normal’ we used to experience. When we lose hope, we lose energy, purpose, motivation or even looking forward to the future.
Our God who created us, knew that we would face difficult times, circumstances beyond our control. Because of his love to us, he gives us the ability to persevere even amid turmoil.
In Romans 12:12 we read “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.”
These three short, sharp statements give clarity on how we are to respond to the trials and tribulations we face today.
Being joyful in hope seems a strange statement until we realize the source of that hope. We know that our hope cannot be in temporal things (health, job security, wealth), nor can we just have a “wishful thinking” type of hope, like ‘I hope tomorrow will be better!”. The Bible tells us why we can truly be joyful in hope: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”. (Romans 15:13).
3 remarkable truths come out of Romans 15:13
- God is hope! He is the only One that our hope can be based on. Our God is powerful, loving, compassionate, Sovereign: all good reasons to place our hope in Him!
- God is the source of hope – as you trust in Him, He will fill you with hope that leads to joy and peace.
- This hope given by God is so plentiful, that it will overflow from you to others. Being hopeful will be an encouragement to those around you.
To be patient in affliction is to accept that in this life we will face difficulties, but that the God of hope, will give us the strength to persevere. We see how Jesus himself was patient in the face of affliction. His affliction was far greater than what we will ever experience, and yet he displayed a steadfastness throughout, for he knew he would be raised up from the dead for our blessing. When we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, He will stand with us through our trials.
How does one experience this joy in hope, the strength to be patient in affliction? It is only by the grace of God and his sovereign hand over you. To experience this daily, we are called to be faithful in prayer, to call out to the God of hope for joy and patience. Our God is a good God, and “his divine power will give us everything we need for a godly life” (2 Peter 1:3). Time with God in prayer is time well spent.
The verses of Psalm 86:1-7 are of great blessing during times of trial.
Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
Preserve my life, for I am godly;
save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God.
Be gracious to me, O Lord,
for to you do I cry all the day.
Gladden the soul of your servant,
for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.
Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace.
In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me.
Amen!
Richard Vanderpyl
Head of School
The Power of Decluttering
The Power of Decluttering
January 22, 2021
Dear Parents,
A number of years ago, I read a book that had, and still does, an impact on me and I would like to share some thoughts from it with you. The book, by Bill Hybels, is called ‘Simplify – 10 practices to unclutter your soul’. One chapter deals with time and our use of it.
As a husband, father, and Head of School, time is of the essence. ‘So much to do, so little time.’ I know that for many, if not most of our parents and students this is also true. What is true from my experience is that unless I prioritise what is most important to me, then the tyranny of the urgent will push those greater priorities to the back.
Bill Hybels asks the question ‘What would my schedule look like if God were in charge of it?’ How would God have me spend my (His!) time today? In a book called Spiritual Leadership there is a great quote, ‘Each moment of the day is a gift from God that deserves care, for by any measure, our time is short and the work is great.’ No wonder the Apostle Paul says ‘Look carefully how you walk ….. making the most of the time’ (Eph 5: 15-16 RSV).
So, what should guide us in making priorities for our time? Crucially it should be framed by the two Great Commandments, to love God and love others. Identifying and putting these priorities into our calendar is important. I love Bill Hybels’ statement ‘My schedule is far less about what I want to get done and far more about who I want to become’. What a beautiful perspective! Use the time God gives you to be the type of person you will be commended for, both by God and man (Luke 2: 52).
Our desire to walk with God, to be led by the Holy Spirit, to imitate Christ, needs to be reflected in our meditation of God’s Word and in prayer. Does our schedule reflect that? Do we have quiet times set aside to draw on and drink deeply of his Word – a gospel that comes with the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 1)? In education we expect our students to read textbooks, to research topics in order to learn and grow in their knowledge of a subject.
May I be bold and encourage, even implore parents to do the following? Set an example to your children by your own quiet times with the Lord. It is not with a pharisaic ‘heart of showing off’ but with humility that we show our children we prize our time with God in order to grow in our love and admiration of him. Do meal times take place in front of the TV or do around a time of conversation, fellowship and family prayer? We must not let busy lives take our focus away from the greatest priority – our walk with God and family.
The strength of this school will come from Christian families strong in their faith and walk with God.
I pray that the Holy Spirit will grant us all the understanding that ‘The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing’ – life with Christ.
In Christ
Richard Vanderpyl
Head of School
Making Things Happen: The CAIS Tech Team
Making Things Happen: The CAIS Tech Team
January 6, 2021
CAIS Tech Team is an absolute team player and has changed the perceptions of what role students play at schools.
The Tech Team is a group of students working behind the scene with a ‘can do’ attitude to provide AV support for school-wide events.
It is an integral part of the school community and has been since the start of CAIS.
The idea was the brainchild of a group of students who decided to step up and throw their weight behind CAIS events, and hence the birth of CAIS Tech Team.
Launching as a small team of 10, CAIS Tech Team has gradually grown into an inclusive larger team of 30 this year, ranging from grades 7 to 12 students.
From assemblies, chapels, school carnival to high school camp, Back to School night, graduations, and band concerts, the CAIS Tech Team has been delightfully serving the school for three years and counting.
Students in the CAIS Tech Team learn valuable skills that help them even after they leave CAIS. And this isn’t restricted to the technical skills that they learn. They also learn other valuable skills such as working with others in a team, and for the older techs, the different planning steps involved in running an event. An important skill for them has been to meet after an event and debrief what worked well and what could be further improved upon. In return, many teachers show their appreciation to the students for the work they do for the school.
An interview with Mr Brunel Hamlett, IT Technician and CAIS Tech Team Supervisor
It is a very unique experience as I am able to work with different kinds of equipment. It’s a fun and hands-on learning experience!
Jane, Grade 12 student
How long has CAIS Tech Team been serving the school community?
The CAIS Tech Team was formed shortly after the start of CAIS and has since been serving the school.
What does your role involve?
I am an IT Technician. A large part of my job, initially, is to provide AV, logistical and event management support for the school.
I was presented with the opportunity to lead and grow the Tech Team – an idea initiated by a group of students themselves – which I willingly accepted.
Taking on additional responsibility means my job could be quite full at times. But it’s also a great opportunity for me as I can learn and engage with students who are willing to get involved in promoting school events through technical support.
My main responsibility as the Tech Team Supervisor is to provide technical training for students, guide the team to take on challenges, and strengthen their troubleshooting skills along the way.
How did the idea come about?
The group was initiated by the students themselves when they felt they needed more support with events. Initially there were only 10 students who volunteered to provide spontaneous AV support as events happened.
The students later realised the need to form an official group to better support the school in a more structured way, and hence the birth of CAIS Tech Team.
Tell us about your experience setting up the Tech Team? What were some of the challenges you experienced?
As mentioned, the Tech Team had few members. So, one of the challenges we faced was how do we get more students involved.
Activating students’ interest to join was a struggle initially. But when the school endorsed the Tech Team as an official extracurricular activity, students realized the impact and contribution that they could make in their capacity and more students felt inclined to give it a go.
It took hard work to give the team a structure in the beginning and we sometimes had to play it by ear due to the team size especially when unexpected situations occurred during events.
It’s really cool to do some behind the scenes work and it’s quite an experience. You also get to meet a lot of new people from other grades. It’s great to be a part of such an amazing team and being able to work alongside some very talented people.
Vanessa, Grade 10 student
Most memorable experience?
There are honestly too many to count. As we’ve had many successful events since we started, each event experience is unique and provides valuable lesson for us. We have 15+ events annually, big and small, in addition to the weekly chapels and student gatherings.
Most of our memorable moments happen when we manage to pull off events for the school as a small team and our hard work pays off! The sense of accomplishment is a good feeling shared among the team members.
This year when the pandemic hit and the usual graduation and award ceremonies were replaced with virtual celebrations, our team was put to the test and met the challenges head on!
Numerous meetings with the school’s senior leaders and teachers were hosted ahead of the ceremonies in order to deliver smooth virtual ceremonies with live streaming in place. The school community including students and parents counted on us to deliver a memorable experience for them and that was also what we wanted for the school community!
Where can we find the CAIS Tech Team?
Our home base is officially the lecture hall. Before and after school as well as duing lunch breaks are when many of us can be found. We have started our own unofficial tutoring system where seniors or older techs will help the younger techs during their lunch time. This has helped our team develop a strong bond between older and younger students. If you want to find us during an event, you can spot us as we are frantically working in the back in our black Tech Team shirts.
Why should students join?
Students should join not only because they will learn valuable technical skills, they will also learn transferrable skills such as communications and
problem-solving skills. The Tech Team builds students’ confidence and leadership skills. Students are encouraged to take ownership for their part in the team and be creative when it comes to challenges and unexpected situations.
These are skills that will serve them well in any career field.
Students will have the opportunity to work with a diverse student population. It’s amazing to see students develop strong bonds within their fellow team members.
Describe CAIS Tech Team in 3 words.
Challenging, rewarding, perseverance
Seeing the event turn out to be a success after long hours of planning, set-up and work makes all our hard work worthwhile. Being part of the process that turns the vision of an event into a reality is rewarding.
Tanya, Grade 12 student
What are some of the opportunities you’ve been afforded in CAIS that you may not have been offered elsewhere?
As an IT and AV technician, I’ve had the blessing of working with incredible staff, getting the chance to lead and grow an extraordinary team of students who have a genuine desire to serve the school community that I most likely would never have experienced had I chosen to work at other schools.
I am a huge advocate for placing yourself in situations to face new challenges. For me, the greatest experience and opportunity has been the personal development I’ve experienced from being asked to take on additional job responsibility and see the tech team able to perform independently.
Tech team is like Batman, we are wherever we are needed, behind the scenes.
Arthur, alumnus Class of 2017
CAIS John Rutter Choir scoops up award for Best Choral Performance
CAIS John Rutter Choir scoops up award for Best Choral Performance
December 31, 2020
The 165-member CAIS John Rutter Choir, comprised of 36 staff and 129 students, was among the winners of the global event Paul Phoenix Academy Online Music Festival held virtually in 2020.
The CAIS John Rutter Choir won the Best Choral Performance in the Ensemble/ Choir section for its performance of ‘Look at the World’, a masterpiece composed by John Rutter.
The virtual event was participated by more than 150 groups and individuals worldwide.
“It’s exciting to see students and staff pushing the musical boundaries,” says Richard Vanderpyl, Head of School of CAIS.
“CAIS is proud to be part of this international event serving up positive vibes through music and showcasing solidarity as a school community.”
“We’re also thrilled to be able to continue fostering our students’ interest in music. This recognition is a testament to the hard work of our community despite the extraordinary circumstances of 2020.”
The winning performance videos will also be featured in the PPA Online Music Festival Concert in January 2021.
How CAIS Student Services help us embrace differences in a year like no other
How CAIS Student Services help us embrace differences in a year like no other
December 23, 2020
With 2020 having just days left to run, many of us are looking forward to celebrating the new year.
2020 was a different and untraditional year for everyone. But that didn’t stop our students from showing resilience and practicing kindness, and the connection of our learning community has gone from strength to strength.
As we head into a new year, we thought we’d introduce our Student Services Department and the exciting new initiatives it offers. Student Services is more than a department at CAIS. It is also the glue that binds all students and teachers – supporting their growth, both personally and professionally.
We spoke to Mr Charles Grayson, Senior Student Services Manager, to learn more about his work and how is it relevant to CAIS students and teachers.
What does your role involve?
My role at CAIS is multiple-faceted. However, specifically as it pertains to our special education program, I work to ensure that students here at CAIS are getting the support that they need in order to function to the best of their abilities in the classroom.
My role is not just limited to academic concerns, but to students in need of support behaviorally and emotionally. The beauty of my role is that it works with all levels of the school in creating a unified culture with an appreciation of learning and support systems. This role provides access for the school to become a renowned institution not just known for strong academics and strong Christian faith, but as a premier international school in Hong Kong and globally for the inclusion model.
How do you work with teachers and students?
I like to consider what I do is as a partner and advocate for our primary and high school teachers and students. Our teachers are strong at developing diverse teaching programs to meet the multiple learning needs within the classroom. However, when our teachers have done all that they possibly can do and they still notice that a student(s) is struggling to keep up in class, that is when our department becomes involved. My team of specialized educators quickly assesses and determines the best strategies and learning supports needed for developing students so they can better engage in the classroom. The goal of our department is the same as the general education teachers, to work for the betterment and benefit of all students in providing for them a quality education. Therefore, we take a very Christ-centered and student-centric approach to student learning.
And while we support the teachers, we equally support the students and their parents. Scripture instructs us in Proverbs 31:8-9 (NIV) to “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
The Student Services Department advocates for our students and parents. We support the learning needs of children and provide interventions when needed. Our biggest motivation is seeing students thrive academically, emotionally, and behaviorally in ways that they once thought as impossible.
Could you provide more specific details about your program and how does it resonate with CAIS’s inclusive and diverse learning environment?
Our view in learning support is that every student has the right to a fair, balanced, and quality education that is Christ-centered despite their identity, socio-economic status, religion, beliefs, or gender. These rights extend without boundaries of the physical school campus and reach into the very communities that our students are a part of.
At CAIS we strive to ensure that teachers feel developed and prepared for working with all students that have been placed into our care. The CAIS inclusive classroom model promotes the differences among our diverse learners and welcomes the students into the classroom needing support academically, socially, emotionally, or through communication. Thereby, we provide consistent professional development and mentoring among our teachers and staff to ensure that they have the best practices and protocols in place to meet the varying needs of our students today.
Any external tools to be introduced as part of the special education program?
There has been continued work done to ensure that our students have tools to succeed in and outside of the classroom. I am pleased to say that our team have created a space in the school known as the Sensory Corner in room 645. a calming space for all students that addresses their sensory needs for touch, smell, sound, and sight. Other projects are also in the works so check back with me soon…
Conference on International Chinese Teaching and Learning
Conference on International Chinese Teaching and Learning
December 11, 2020
CAIS Chinese Language Teacher Mr Jonah Seto shared ideas on the topic of “Drama-in-Education to Foster Students Higher-Order Thinking Skills” at the Conference on International Chinese Teaching and Learning.
Held virtually on 5-6 December, Mr Seto joined over 150 teachers from other participating international schools to exchange ideas and best practices on Chinese language teaching.
In particular, he highlighted the use of drama in education which was well received in previous academic year where high school students agreed that drama was an engaging platform for them to learn creatively and effectively.
In addition, the Primary Chinese Reading Program was also a positive experience for students.