Nurturing, developing and shaping children into Christ-like servant leaders

As epitomised by its logo, Christian Alliance P.C. Lau Memorial International School (CAPCL) is like a tree which flourishes with green leaves and bears good fruits in its students, says Dr Cora Hui, Head of School.

Amplifying on the school mission, Dr Hui explains that, in addition to imparting knowledge to learners and equipping them with skills, CAPCL also emphasize their character development. “We aim to develop our students into Christ-like servant leaders who set examples in speech and behaviour, in faith, love and purity,” she adds.

As an educational researcher, Dr Hui believes that servant leadership cultivates grit and a growth mindset in learners, and supports wellness development of youngsters. They typically display the following ten characteristics:

LISTENING

Listening is an attitude and commitment towards understanding self and others. The Chinese character "listening" shows that active listening requires us to listen with our ears, eyes, and heart.

EMPATHY

The development of empathy stretches one to step outside of self, to focus on others and their context. It broadens CAPCL learners' perspectives.

HEALING

A servant leader extends helpful hands to those who are in need.

MINDFULNESS

CAPCL learners are encouraged to develop habits of quietness and reflection, as well as evaluate situations from complementary and contradictory perspectives.

PERSUASION

CAPCL learners convince, instead of coerce, others to reach a consensus within teams. They are assertive but not aggressive in their interactions with others.

CONCEPTUALIZATION

CAPCL learners are guided by their teachers to develop conceptual thinking and thorough planning strategies.

FORESIGHT

CAPCL learners evaluate the lessons from the past, the realities of the present, and the likely consequences of a decision for the future.

STEWARDSHIP

CAPCL learners make good use of their resources and time to serve others.

GROWTH MINDSET

CAPCL teachers model and instill a growth mindset in students.

BUILDING COMMUNITY

Individuals find their sense of belonging and identity, and they give and receive support from one another within the CAPCL community.

Dr Hui points out that the holistic education provided by CAPCL comprises 4Hs – Heart, Habits, Head and Hands. It is grounded in what she describes as ‘heart-work’.

“The humility nurtured in students gives them a healthy self-image, making room to learn from criticism, mistakes and confrontations, as well as the courage to take risks in overcoming uncertainty,” she observes. “We also support them to develop godly habits, and offer opportunities for them to apply what they’ve learned into services to one another within the school community and in our neighbourhood.”

Dr Hui emphasizes CAPCL’s pastoral programme that instills correct values in learners. In addition to a rigorous curriculum patterned on the highly-regarded Alberta Bilingual model in Canada, the school makes a special point of allowing plenty of contact time with students. “We do not mechanically adhere to schedules because there is no rush to get things done,” she explains. “We would rather be good listeners, giving our students quality time to talk things over, to voice their concerns and aspirations.”

At CAPCL, there is equal attention devoted to a student’s IQ, EQ and MQ, according to Dr Hui. “Academically, we develop their IQ (Intelligence Quotient) to become smart learners; socially, we develop their EQ (Emotional Quotient) for person-to-person interaction; and spiritually, we develop their MQ (Moral Quotient) for choosing and sticking to what is right.”

Dr Hui underscores the fact that CAPCL is a caring, safe, respectful and welcoming community where everyone appreciates differences, celebrates diversity, and uses their gift to serve one another.

“Judging by the feedback received, the community certainly appears to approve of what we’re doing,” she concludes. “Figures speak volumes: since reopening our new campus in Kowloon City in 2020, we had 150 students last year; and this year, the number has risen to 220.”

Christian Alliance P.C. Lau Memorial International School

Address: 2 Fu Ning Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong (Sung Wong Toi MTR station, Exit B)

Tel: (852) 2713 3733

Email: info@capcl.edu.hk