ESF enrollment

[fee]

We are looking to move to HK Island in summer (decision only came about in the last few weeks) and know that it is late to apply for ESF but will try anyway as our son will be in year 2. The question I have is since placement is determined by address how do I apply for a school in the area we will be moving to? We currently live in Tai Po so obviously RCHK or ShaTin junior will not work for us in the next school year....

Has anyone had this experience?

 

[Seb's Dad]

hi fee

i would call ESF directly and ask. i know they have two practises; one for kids already in the esf system looking to transfer, and one for kids looking to get in. (can't tell for sure from your post if your son is in esf already, suspect not?)

good luck, i hope you get a clear answer and the move works out for you.

 

[notmyaisle]

I believe, at this stage, that as you have missed the first stage application process then your application now goes into a pool withthe others on the waitlist and they will endeavour to find a school close to where you will be living. If they cannot offer your closest school then they will look at the next available etc etc.

 

[rani]

As you're going into Y2 then the application process is not centralized (as Y1) and you apply directly to the school. More info here:

English Schools Foundation - Admissions Years 2-4

 

[Blink Blink]

Where about will you be moving to? Is your child in Y2 now or going to be in Y2 in Sept? I have 2 kids in ESF, 1 in Y2 & 1 in Y6. Would loved to give you more info.

 

[Josephine]

Hi mummies,

My kid has an interview with Shatin Junior next week. So does my friend's girl. According to my friend, Shatin Junior tests the kids on drawing. However, we understand from the school authorities that only English Language competence skills will be tested. My friend, however, insists that she is correct and that the information she obtained was from reading this forum.

I'm so worried cos my kid can't draw though he speaks very well. My friend's girl can draw very well.

Can anyone kindly confirm if my friend is correct?

 

[FFONG]

I don't think they will test drawing. Otherwise they will test reading, writing, right? So don't worry, and good luck. My daughter will have interview in RC this week too!

Hi mummies,

My kid has an interview with Shatin Junior next week. So does my friend's girl. According to my friend, Shatin Junior tests the kids on drawing. However, we understand from the school authorities that only English Language competence skills will be tested. My friend, however, insists that she is correct and that the information she obtained was from reading this forum.

I'm so worried cos my kid can't draw though he speaks very well. My friend's girl can draw very well.

Can anyone kindly confirm if my friend is correct?

 

[rani]

Hi mummies,

My kid has an interview with Shatin Junior next week. So does my friend's girl. According to my friend, Shatin Junior tests the kids on drawing.

They may ask the child to draw a picture and then ask them questions about it. But they are accessing the child's English skills and not drawing.

 

[Totty]

People, people, people, the children are 4!

When they go for an 'interview' (and that word should be used very, very loosely) they are actually in with a group of 4-7 children and are observed. They are told a story, encouraged to draw a picture of their family and talk about it and the teachers just watch them.

Please don't stress out about it, and with regards to a point raised very early on in thsithread about there being 'so many asians' at aparticular school, well we are in Hong Kong. Personally i think it's fantastic that my children go to an ESF school where they as Brits are in the minority. My children don't notice skin colour or race, they only see their friends for who they are and it is us as the adults that see skin colour. My kids will grow up to be tolerant, culturally wise to other peoples beliefs and traditions and non racist thanks to their beginnings at school.

 

[Seb's Dad]

Please don't stress out about it, and with regards to a point raised very early on in thsithread about there being 'so many asians' at aparticular school, well we are in Hong Kong. Personally i think it's fantastic that my children go to an ESF school where they as Brits are in the minority. My children don't notice skin colour or race, they only see their friends for who they are and it is us as the adults that see skin colour. My kids will grow up to be tolerant, culturally wise to other peoples beliefs and traditions and non racist thanks to their beginnings at school.

AMEN!!! let's hear it for colour blind kids.