Jockey Club Primary visit

On the Tuesday we visited Jockey Club Primary which was also situated in the new territories and set within the same campus as the kindergarten and college. We met with a teacher there Miss Chung who had taught there for 7 years. She had a BEd (4 year course) and had majored in English and her minor was in Chinese and General Studies. During her time  studying she went to England for 8 weeks immersion in the language to assist in her English major. There are also immersion programmes at college in mainland China..

The primary was established in 2002. There is an induction programme for newly trained teachers within the establishment. The challenges in the school were things like the high expectations of attainment from society and from parents, the time needed for teacher co-planning. The teacher day began at around 7.30, the school day ends at 3.30 then the teachers plan and more time for planning is always needed. She felt she would like additional time set within the timetable for collaborative work between teachers. Teachers can leave the establishment at 4.30 but many stay much later. The school has joined several programmes to assist in the educational reform programme. Everything can’t be done at once so the principal and school board choose the focus. The Ed Bureau give the school lots of autonomy and the schools implement their policies. Within the school a lot of work had been done on cultivating an atmosphere for improving reading. Next session they would be carrying out work to look at small class teaching. They had already held workshops on how to teach small classes (approx 25 pupils). They use positive behaviour strategies and always try to talk and encourage the children. Society is changing with increasing numbers of parents with less time at home due to work commitments. Additional support needs are met within class with some setting for eg English. Miss Chang is currently completing an MA at a part time college course two evenings a week after school. The school encourages professional development. There is a professional development committee and the school writes a development plan. Parents volunteer and help with eg library books. The PTA recently held a parent picnic with the children and parents and also fundraise. No pupil council yet but on agenda. The school is externally reviewed by the Education bureau and this was done previously about three years ago – similar to HMIe and assists in self evaluation. We also toured the school – and met with the principal. A few photos below give a flavour.

 

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