Anchors Academy is dedicated to inspiring its students to become young leaders of the future and promoting sound education through innovative approaches.
On March 2, 2024, The Standard organized the International Schools Fair, which attracted over 1,000 participants seeking informative insights. The event was graced by distinguished educators and academic leaders, including Ms Carmen Choi, Executive Director of Anchors Academy Education Group; Ms Jasmina Wadhwani, Principal of the Kindergarten Section at Anchors Academy; and Mr Thomas Crawford Moore, Principal of the Primary School Section at Anchors Academy. It is with great pleasure that The Standard extends the invitation for an exclusive interview, allowing them to share their enthusiasm and aspiration for Anchors Academy.
Vision and mission
“Our vision is to nurture students with leadership skills in various aspects, particularly in subjects related to STEAM.”
Ms Choi began by sharing the vision and mission of Anchors Academy. The school is deeply committed to providing a well-rounded educational experience that prepares students for the challenges of the future. Anchors Academy aims to cultivate leadership qualities in its students, empowering them to excel in diverse fields. The school adopts a unique 4-literacy approach, which encompasses English Literacy, Chinese Literacy, STEAM, and Digital Literacy.
In addition to academic pursuits, Anchors Academy places significant emphasis on the holistic development of its students. The school’s ethos aligns with its name, ‘ANCHORS,’ which stands for Act with Integrity, Nurturing, Communication and Confidence, Health and Happiness, Optimism and Opportunity, Respect and Responsibility, and Service to the Community.
Teaching philosophy
“We teach and learn through play from kindergarten all the way up to primary, where everything is very much STEAM-based.”
Speaking of the school’s teaching philosophy, Ms Wadhwani shared that Anchors Academy bases its teaching philosophy around student-centered learning and hands-on experiences. The school’s teachers, who are not only highly qualified but also come from diverse backgrounds, actively engage with the students, fostering a community-driven approach to education. For kindergarten levels, Anchors Academy follows the UK Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, which integrates learning with play, ensuring that children are actively involved and motivated in their educational journey.
Furthermore, as part of the school’s curriculum, Anchors Academy offers regular opportunities for students to participate in overseas language and cultural exchanges, sports events, and more. The school also organizes various excursions, life-wide learning experiences, school trips, and after-school programs, ensuring a holistic education for its students.
Promoting STEAM learning
“The STEAM approach is about hands-on experiments, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.”
Central to Anchors Academy’s educational approach is its commitment to STEAM education. “We have specialist STEAM teachers who employ innovative approaches to teaching students. Most schools don’t have the luxury of having additional specialist teachers,” explained Mr Moore. “Furthermore, we integrate STEAM and digital education across curriculum, so that students can, from a young age, master computation, digital systems and programming.”
Unlike traditional textbook-based learning, STEAM education at Anchors Academy emphasizes hands-on experiments, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. The curriculum is designed to foster higher-order thinking and equip students with the skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
Mr Moore hoped that through fostering the creative side of students as well as injecting fun into their learning, students will be able to “hold on to the knowledge they’ve acquired for a longer term.” He further elucidated on his point, saying “It’s not just a fill-in-the-blank sort of system or they learn about it for a test and then forget about it the next year. This is about longer term learning and higher learning capacities and skills.”
Campus and facilities
“Every turn you make on the campus says something new and exciting that other schools do not have.”
The school’s commitment to providing a conducive learning environment is evident in its state-of-the-art facilities. From VR Innovation Labs and recording studios to the STEAM Wall, the campus is equipped with resources that foster creativity and exploration. Moreover, nestled on the picturesque banks of the Kam Tin River, the school encompasses a sprawling area of 150,000m², offering a spacious and tranquil ambiance for students to learn and thrive.
Long-term goals
“We aim to provide a one-stop station for our parents’ needs, nurturing students from a young age and preparing them for success in Hong Kong universities and beyond.”
Looking towards the future, Ms Carmen Choi told us that Anchors Academy has ambitious long-term goals aimed at expanding its educational offerings.As a through-train school plans are underway to extend the school’s curriculum from pre-nursery to secondary levels (K16+), ensuring a seamless educational journey for students. The upcoming secondary school campus will cater to the evolving needs of students, providing opportunities for academic excellence and personal growth. Anchors Academy aims to alleviate the stress faced by Hong Kong parents by offering comprehensive educational solutions that encompass Chinese and international education, digital literacy, and STEAM education.
