School Leadership
Charles GraysonDirector of Student Services (Prep-G12)
MA, MS, MSEd
Hailing from the United States of America, Charles moved to Hong Kong in 2017 and now leads the multidisciplinary Student Services team. Before his appointment at CAIS, Charles worked as an expert in the college advising industry and as a university recruiter. In the USA, he worked for several years as a mental health and behavioral therapist, adjunct professor, and university administrator.
Educationally, Charles holds three master’s degrees along with several professional certificates and is currently completing doctoral studies in education administration.
Mr. Grayson, along with his wife, Irene, have two young boys and reside in Kowloon. His favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you and hope and a future.”
Ms. Kirsty CheungPrimary Guidance Counselor (Prep-G6)
BA
“Every child is good at something and all of them can thrive!” Kirsty’s passion and mission for serving in student guidance is to discover what hinders a student from flourishing. She is intentional in walking alongside them to help them shine as God intended.
Kirsty has more than 10 years of experience in nourishing students from Preparatory to Grade 12, including students taking DSE, IGCSE & IBDP curriculum. She was born and raised in Hong Kong and has a Bachelor of Art (Hons) in Social Work.
Mrs. Cecilia LepchaSecondary Guidance Counselor (Grade 7-9)
BA, MA
Cecilia was born in Hong Kong and grew up in Alberta, Canada where she obtained her bachelor’s degree. Cecilia has a master’s degree in Social Work and is a Registered Social Worker with the Social Workers Registration Board (HK). She has previously worked for CAIS as the Primary Guidance Counsellor, managed a youth mental health initiative and has worked with various local NGOs working with marginalized communities in Hong Kong.
Her prayer is that all CAIS students would discover Christ and the purpose He has for them so they can boldly go out into the world as His disciples.
Ronald ChanSecondary and University Guidance Counselor (Grades 9-12)AP Coordinator
MA
Ronald has almost 10 years of experience Guidance Counselling. He sees students’ personal growth and social interaction as equally important to their academic performance. Ronald particularly works with high school students in preparing them for tertiary education. He has a deep understanding of the structures of International Baccalaureate Diploma, Advanced Placement and the Alberta high school diploma.
Ronald has a master’s degree in school guidance and counseling and several professional certificates issued by professional bodies in Hong Kong, Australia, USA and UK.
Ronald’s favorite Bible verse is Psalm 127:1, “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”
We offer students the opportunity to ask questions as they explore multiple academic pathways. Students at CAIS embark on the Alberta (Canada) Curriculum and can later decide in Grade 10 whether to continue to pursue the Alberta High School Diploma or whether to opt for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) for their final two years of school. Additionally, CAIS offer students with Advanced Placement courses alongside the Alberta Diploma. Our team can support students and their parents in the decision-making stage.
Students, apart from taking the Career and Life Management (CALM) course, receive expert guidance: Transition to High School assemblies, planned activities at University and Career Planning Nights, and Career & Academic Talks with professionals and universities. Furthermore, students receive individual planning that explores university selection and evaluation one-on-one. During this stage, students begin by selecting courses and determining fit, receiving reference letters, academic transcripts, and guided support on their personal statements.
CAIS is blessed to have a community of experienced therapists. Students seeking counseling services receive a safe, nurturing, confidential, and caring environment to express their social-emotional and mental health needs. The counselors at CAIS provide a non-judgmental responsive and system support model that is centered on biblical and clinical approaches for addressing and coaching students’ needs for management skills, goal setting, stress management, and mental health processing.
Learning Support
CAIS provides services for students with mild special learning needs. Students are expected to function in and profit from the regular classroom curriculum with Student Service support designed to bridge student learning gaps with classroom expectations.
Our Learning Support specialists follow a collaborative model based on early intervention, prevention and best practices in remediation. Students who have been identified with special learning needs are provided a continuum of supportive services differentiated to meet individual needs. Learning Support Specialists provide consultation, collaborative planning, team teaching and small group instruction as well as individual remediation using supplemental curriculum materials. Parents and teachers are consulted as we develop the program to meet individual student needs.