At Christian Alliance P.C. Lau Memorial International School (CAPCL), a vibrant bilingual primary international school, the focus is on nurturing confident, independent, and responsible leaders of tomorrow. The school is dedicated to empowering children to thrive in a dynamic world, equipping them with the essential skills to succeed and encouraging them to embrace a world of possibilities.
Play, participation, and possibilities pedagogy
At CAPCL, the school believes in the power of play, participation, and possibilities pedagogy. Dr Hui explains that play is fundamental to primary education because children are inherently drawn to it.
“We aim for children to actively engage in their education. The school provides a variety of activities designed to captivate students and encourage their involvement through play. Our teachers focus on creating lessons that promote this participation,” she says.
For instance, teachers set up learning stations where children can explore various activities that align with their interests, enabling them to experiment and learn from their mistakes.
Outside the classroom, especially in good weather, the school integrates community service and outreach programs, believing these experiences help students connect their learning to the world around them. For example, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, students visited a local elderly home, bringing cookies and spending time with the residents. This interaction deepens their understanding of the community.
“We also involve students in environmental activities, such as beach clean-ups, where they learn the importance of caring for their community while having fun. These hands-on experiences foster a sense of responsibility and connection to their surroundings,” Dr Hui highlights.
She concludes, “Ultimately, our goal is to open up possibilities for learning, providing multiple options rather than a single approach. This principle is at the core of what we strive to implement every day with our students.”
Supporting students’ well-being
In addition to play-based learning, the school actively emphasizes the importance of supporting students’ well-being. Dr Hui highlights the various activities incorporated into their teaching practices to promote wellness.
“We have a wellness coordinator who focuses on building awareness throughout the school. Instead of immediately jumping into lessons, we start each day with mindfulness activities such as deep breathing and guided imagery. These practices help students relax and enhance their focus,” she explains.
The school also integrates social and emotional learning, encouraging students to discuss their emotions and relationship skills. For grades two and up, there is a 15-minute ‘pastoral time’ at the end of each day for small group discussions about feelings and social situations. Classrooms feature posters that help students understand emotions, letting them know that it’s normal not to be happy all the time and underscoring the importance of embracing one’s inner feelings.
Physical activity is another key component of the wellness program. “We ensure that students have daily opportunities to move, whether through breaks between classes or structured physical activities. We also promote healthy eating by guiding families on nutritious snacks and meals, fostering a wellness-oriented environment,” Dr Hui adds.
Ensuring seamless transition from kindergarten to primary school
Apart from wellness support, the school ensures a smooth transition for students moving from kindergarten to primary education.
Dr Hui notes, “Transitioning to primary school can be challenging.” To address this, the school implements several key strategies.
First, they begin with half-day sessions for young learners, gradually increasing to full days. This pacing allows students to adjust to new routines, such as finding the restroom, managing lunch, and navigating daily activities without feeling overwhelmed.
“We prioritize communication with parents, gathering insights about their children to support their transition. Before the summer break, we invite incoming students to visit the school and encourage them to return with their parents for a familiarization session just before school starts. This helps students feel more comfortable in their new environment.”
Classes are kept small, with about 20 students and two homeroom teachers. This structure fosters strong relationships between students and teachers, who remain with them throughout the day, providing continuity and familiarity.
Bilingual immersion
When discussing CAPCL’s bilingual education approach, Dr Hui explains, “Students engage in a bilingual curriculum, with approximately 65% of instruction in English and 35% in Mandarin.”
Each class features two homeroom teachers—one for English and one for Chinese—who oversee daily activities. While students primarily learn in English, special subjects like music, art, Bible studies, wellness, and physical education are taught in both languages, rotating each semester to enhance language use in diverse contexts. This approach allows students to communicate and interact in both languages while appreciating cultural nuances.
The school also has dedicated literacy coordinators for both Chinese and English, who develop strategies to promote language learning and ensure curriculum alignment. For example, during ‘Literacy Week’, the school hosts author visits that teach students about the creative process, encouraging critical thinking and creativity.
Additionally, there is a ‘Book Character Day,’ where students dress as their favorite book characters and engage in creative writing, with their work published to foster a sense of achievement and identity as writers.
Literacy activities extend beyond the classroom. Students participate in regular library lessons in both languages, allowing them to explore and check out books. An e-newsletter highlights teachers’ favorite books to inspire reading at home, while events like book fairs further engage students, helping them discover new books and develop a lifelong reading habit.
Christian Alliance P.C. Lau
Memorial International School
2 Fu Ning Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tel: 2713 3733
Email: info@capcl.edu.hk
Website: www.capcl.edu.hk
