In 1992 several missionaries felt the need to start an International Christian School here in Hong Kong. It was just a dream that was up against sizeable issues: the high cost of land, accrediation, funding, the list went on and on. Six mission groups agreed to be sponsors of the endeavor. They were willing to commit representation but we could not expect financial support. I was asked to be on the Board of Directors just after the initial meetings were held. It would mean countless meetings recruiting teachers from many different countries. We hired a principal from the United States. We wanted it to be an American based curriculum with a Christian foundation. I remained as a Board of Director for 3 years until we moved back to the States. During that time I was the School Superintendent for six months.
Prior to the planning of this school, seven missionaries families had come together to form a home school for our children. Previously the children had gone to British schools that provided an excellent learning opportunity. But we wanted to encourage their creativity and give more personal attention to each of the children. Each of the wives had experience in teaching and agreed to teach different subjects. Diane was one of the teachers. Rachel and David were in the school. Matthew was still a baby. They had one classroom which included grades 1-6. It was quite an adventure for everyone.
When we started ICS we only had 56 students for grades K-8. We could not afford much to rent a place nor could we find many places. We did find a location that had a Chinese seminary and Chinese kindergarten. But there were many classrooms free that had not been used for some time. They cautiously entered into an agreement with this little group that had no history of running a school. Oh by the way, the school was in the flight path of every plane that landed in Hong Kong at that time. The planes came so low you could almost count the rivets! They were so loud that the kids had to scream in the courtyard to hear each other and the teachers had to pause frequently when one passed overhead. It was a mission of love in which everyone gave all that they had and we did a lot of praying.
From day one there was a special atmosphere for the students. My kids loved going there. I taught junior high basketball for the boys and the girls. I remember each team going undefeated as we played area schools. I left hoping that this dream would continue after 1997 when China regained control of Hong Kong.
On Tuesday I was invited to go back to that campus to be interviewed by the staff of those early years as they are celebrating 15 year anniversary. I was flooded with memories as I walked back on the campus, remembering friends that had been there with us, almost seeing in the students who moved past me my own children when they were there. What had happened while I was gone was beyond my expectation but not beyond the dream from the start. The school was given prime land next to a train station near Shek Mun. The government also gave a HK$100 million grant (US$14 million). The school has raised HK$140 million (US$ 20 million) from friends and families in Hong Kong. They still need to raise another HK$ 80 million (US$11 million) by the end of the year. They do not expect to have problems raising the remaining amount.
The Assistant principal for the elementary gave us a tour. The elementary school just moved in three days ago. The high school will be finished and open by the end of the year. Each grade will have three classrooms in the elementary. No classroom has more than 25 students (in Hong Kong the average is 40 students). The rooms are fitted with the latest furniture and teaching aides from the States and wired for the latest in technology. The elementary school will have it's own science lab. They also have their own counselor and staff to assess the students. The students must be fluent in English but they will be learning Chinese and French from grade 1. They also built studeo apartments for new teachers to live in during the first year.
The Assistant principal said that ICS has maitained the high standards of education. Outside the United States, ICS is the top school in the world in AP classes. Every student who graduates can and does go on to further study at the university whether that be the US, UK or Australia. The layout of the school was designed to meet the student's learning needs not maximize the number of students that could be enrolled. The school started in 1992 with 56 and now has over 1000 students. It is a leader in many ways already in Hong Kong and connected with other International Schools throughout Asia.
I walked in amazement as I was given the tour. I was encouraged that the growth and funding has not changed to spirit of the team or the commitment to the values we started. I walked away from the tour thankful that I had just a small part of this dream. I was glad that God had a much bigger dream and challenged us to step forward in 1992 for that dream to become real in Hong Kong. Many worried that China would wipe out Christianity and the chance to reach people. Many of us did not know what the future would be but walked by faith. As we did I can now look back and see that God's plan was too big for us to fathom then but not too for God to have for the people of Hong Kong. ICS is an education in faith.
Learning and growing in Hong Kong,
Prior to the planning of this school, seven missionaries families had come together to form a home school for our children. Previously the children had gone to British schools that provided an excellent learning opportunity. But we wanted to encourage their creativity and give more personal attention to each of the children. Each of the wives had experience in teaching and agreed to teach different subjects. Diane was one of the teachers. Rachel and David were in the school. Matthew was still a baby. They had one classroom which included grades 1-6. It was quite an adventure for everyone.
When we started ICS we only had 56 students for grades K-8. We could not afford much to rent a place nor could we find many places. We did find a location that had a Chinese seminary and Chinese kindergarten. But there were many classrooms free that had not been used for some time. They cautiously entered into an agreement with this little group that had no history of running a school. Oh by the way, the school was in the flight path of every plane that landed in Hong Kong at that time. The planes came so low you could almost count the rivets! They were so loud that the kids had to scream in the courtyard to hear each other and the teachers had to pause frequently when one passed overhead. It was a mission of love in which everyone gave all that they had and we did a lot of praying.
From day one there was a special atmosphere for the students. My kids loved going there. I taught junior high basketball for the boys and the girls. I remember each team going undefeated as we played area schools. I left hoping that this dream would continue after 1997 when China regained control of Hong Kong.
On Tuesday I was invited to go back to that campus to be interviewed by the staff of those early years as they are celebrating 15 year anniversary. I was flooded with memories as I walked back on the campus, remembering friends that had been there with us, almost seeing in the students who moved past me my own children when they were there. What had happened while I was gone was beyond my expectation but not beyond the dream from the start. The school was given prime land next to a train station near Shek Mun. The government also gave a HK$100 million grant (US$14 million). The school has raised HK$140 million (US$ 20 million) from friends and families in Hong Kong. They still need to raise another HK$ 80 million (US$11 million) by the end of the year. They do not expect to have problems raising the remaining amount.
The Assistant principal for the elementary gave us a tour. The elementary school just moved in three days ago. The high school will be finished and open by the end of the year. Each grade will have three classrooms in the elementary. No classroom has more than 25 students (in Hong Kong the average is 40 students). The rooms are fitted with the latest furniture and teaching aides from the States and wired for the latest in technology. The elementary school will have it's own science lab. They also have their own counselor and staff to assess the students. The students must be fluent in English but they will be learning Chinese and French from grade 1. They also built studeo apartments for new teachers to live in during the first year.
The Assistant principal said that ICS has maitained the high standards of education. Outside the United States, ICS is the top school in the world in AP classes. Every student who graduates can and does go on to further study at the university whether that be the US, UK or Australia. The layout of the school was designed to meet the student's learning needs not maximize the number of students that could be enrolled. The school started in 1992 with 56 and now has over 1000 students. It is a leader in many ways already in Hong Kong and connected with other International Schools throughout Asia.
I walked in amazement as I was given the tour. I was encouraged that the growth and funding has not changed to spirit of the team or the commitment to the values we started. I walked away from the tour thankful that I had just a small part of this dream. I was glad that God had a much bigger dream and challenged us to step forward in 1992 for that dream to become real in Hong Kong. Many worried that China would wipe out Christianity and the chance to reach people. Many of us did not know what the future would be but walked by faith. As we did I can now look back and see that God's plan was too big for us to fathom then but not too for God to have for the people of Hong Kong. ICS is an education in faith.
Learning and growing in Hong Kong,
1 comment:
Alan,
Excited to hear the update, wow how great to get up to the minute details of your trip. God always has plans greater than what we can see. Many times we are limited by our own human vision. Just wanted to let you know I am praying for you. I know God has a great vision for your future as well. Can't wait to see pictures when you return, wish I was with you.
Your brother, Eric
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