overseas applications

A

apcchris

New member
Hi everybody,

We have to re-locate to Hong Kong next summer, did anybody knows how to compare island and west island school ?
For central applications, they need a written test, I'm wondering if we need to take a trip to Hong Kong only for taking the test?? Or they can have conditional offer and delay the test?? will this lower the chance of enrollment? I also have a younger one who should apply year 4 next year, but they do need an interview for primary kids, same question, do we need to make this costly trip to get a spot in the school ??
Anyone knows if it is costly to live in central and any suggestion for that??

I'm new to the forum and thanks in advance for any suggestion!!
 
Hi,

We applied to ESF schools last June using their Corporate Surety Scheme. See their website under "Admissions Criteria"; at the bottom of the page.

We did all of this prior to coming to Hong Kong. It took me a bit of research to figure it all out, but it was quite easy in the end. We just filled out the application forms while we were still at home, sending it to my husband's new employer in HK, which they then submitted to ESF with one month's tuition. While this money is not refunded it is a small price to pay for getting your kids into school prior to a move. You can also apply earlier, but it cost progressively more. On the application they ask where you plan to live or what schools you would like to attend, if I remember correctly. We stated we would prefer to live in a particular area, Pokfulam since my husband works in Sheung Wan, but would live in a different area if our kids were accepted into schools in a different area.

In the end it worked out quite well as all 5 of our kids were accepted. The 3 younger ones at Kennedy school and the older 2 at Island School. We've been really happy with both of these schools and I suspect that we would have been with any of the ESF schools. I'm just relieved that I only have 2 schools to deal with as I had feared that the kids would be split up and going in all directions to various schools!


The only testing they had to do was a quick interview or two. When we arrived in Hong Kong in mid August each child had an interview and English proficiency test. While that was a bit rushed, and my younger kids didn't start school until the second week due to scheduling of these tests, it all has worked out surprisingly well and my kids are quite happy.

Hope this helps.

Christine
 
Hello Christine,

Thanks for your information! Is that mean your kids were being accepted before they arrive H.K. in August? Do you applied for Island School? (you sent your applications to Island?) Is Pokfulum fall into West Island catchment area??

Thanks again for your help!!!!
 
All 3 secondary schools, - West, South and Island are not far from each other, and if you can't get space in the one in your zone you may be lucky in another. I've seen school buses running for all 3 schools in Pok Fu Lam.

Here's some info on the Corporate Surety Scheme that Chrstinea mentioned

ESF introduced a new Corporate Surety scheme in 2007 to enable companies to secure school places for expatriate employees before their arrival in Hong Kong over the summer months. The scheme for 2008/09 ran from 1 January to 30 June 2008. The scheme is now closed. Application for 2009/10 will be available from January- June 2009. Please refer to this website in December 2008 for details. For queries or further information please email [email protected].
 
Sorry to steal this thread ... quick question. We're living in Tai Tam (Quarry Bay ESF), currently applying for Central Year 1 admissions. Is there any chance getting her into Bradbury insted if I would like that school better. We have a few kids in our building going to Bradbury because they moved from e.g. Stanley to Tai Tam ... 3 minutes away. Just wondering?
 
Yes, my kids were accepted into ESF school before we moved to Hong Kong. We applied June 1st and heard of our acceptance on June 17th. We didn't arrive in HK until mid August. We didn't apply to any school in particular - you just apply to ESF directly if I recall. They just ask for your new address or where you plan to live. Most kids from Pokfulam seem to go to West Island School, which would be a bit faster and easier to get to, but there is still a school bus from here that goes to Island School. I've not heard that any of the schools are better than the others, so I'm just happy to have gotten my kids in. They're quite happy to so it's worked out well for us.

Best of luck!

Christine
 
Hello

Thanks for your valuable information !!!!!

I'm just wondering under what conditions could a family qualified to apply for the Corporate Scheme?? I check the Esf website but they don't have any information at this moment. Do you know any information from your experience??

Maybe we could wait till January to save a lot of trouble (stop working, stop school, expansive air ticdets and hotel....). But then we'll lost the chance of central application (lst round of acceptance). Maybe........

Anyway, thanks so much for your support at this difficult situation!!

All the Best!!
 
Sorry to butt in.

Christinea - I've sent you a pm to ask about the surety scheme.

apcchris - I'm in the middle of the same process myself so I shall be following your thread.
 
Hello
Thanks for your information, now I know more about the surety scheme and what's going on last year! I'll just see what should we arrange at this time and will share with you later!

Thanks!

All the Best!
 
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