ESF celebrates Island School topping out milestone

• Completion of construction of the flagship school structure
• Will offer state-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities
• Students expected to return to the brand new campus in August 2022

The English Schools Foundation (ESF) celebrated the topping out of the new Island School campus on Wednesday.

“Today marks not just a milestone on the journey of Island School, but it marks a day closer to bringing Island School home to where it belongs on Borrett Road,” said Belinda Greer, ESF’s Chief Executive Officer, at the Island School topping out ceremony.

Co-funded by the HKSAR Government, this one billion Hong Kong dollar redevelopment is the largest construction project in ESF’s history.

“ESF’s mission is to inspire creativity, to nurture the global citizens and leaders of the future. The ESF Board, including the Chair, Kim Mak and former Chairs Abraham Shek, Carlson Tong and Felice Lieh-Mak, has been resolute in driving forward the rebuild of Island School to provide the very best learning experience for our students. They deserve us all to work tirelessly to get the best facilities, the best people and the best conditions for them to be able to thrive,” said Belinda Greer.

With the completion of the superstructure, work will continue on fitting out the building, with the project on track to be finished for the new academic year in August 2022.

“I want to thank the Secretary for Education, the EDB (Education Bureau) and the Hong Kong Government for supporting ESF and this project. I also want to thank the ESF community and the team responsible for doing the hard work not so quietly behind the scenes.

As I look around today, and I see the people here, I understand the importance of this development – ‘we stand on the shoulders of giants’ – we build on the legacy of those who have gone before us, of all the work that’s been done to get us to this point. The one thing we all have in common is the drive and unstinting commitment to ensure ESF delivers high-quality learning, our students deserve no less,” said Belinda Greer.

ESF’s CEO was joined at the ceremony by Mr Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, JP, Secretary for Education as well as other dignitaries including the Chair of the ESF Board, Kim Mak and previous ESF Chairs Abraham Shek, Carlson Tong and Felice Lieh-Mak.

“The English Schools Foundation (ESF) has always been one of our close counterparts in the international school sector in Hong Kong. I am most delighted to join the ceremony today to celebrate the completion of the superstructure of the Island School redevelopment project,” said Mr Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, JP, Secretary for Education.

“Jointly funded by the Government and ESF, the project not only bears testimony to the Government’s support in improving the learning and teaching environment for students, but also demonstrates the continuous commitment of ESF in providing quality education to our future generations.

I trust that ESF will make good use of these new state-of-the-art facilities with a view to inspiring creativity amongst their students and nurturing responsible citizens and leaders of the future. May I wish Island School continued success in the years ahead,” said Mr Yeung.

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Officiating guests on stage included Mr Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, JP, Secretary for Education (left seven), Belinda Greer, ESF Chief Executive Officer (right seven), Kim Mak, Chair of the ESF Board (left six)

Officiating guests on stage included Mr Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, JP, Secretary for Education (left seven), Belinda Greer, ESF Chief Executive Officer (right seven), Kim Mak, Chair of the ESF Board (left six)

From left: Michael Lok, Chairman of Island School School Council, Belinda Greer, ESF Chief Executive Officer, Mr Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, JP, Secretary for Education, and Stephen Loggie, Principal of Island School

From left: Belinda Greer, ESF Chief Executive Officer, Maya Hong, Andy Chan, student representatives of Island School, and Stephen Loggie, Principal of Island School

 

Notes for editors:

About ESF Island School

Opened in 1967, Island School is one of the oldest ESF schools. With total of eight floors, the new redeveloped campus will provide 24,000m² of learning space which features 42 classrooms, 13 laboratories, a student learning support centre, performance art space, a four-storey high outdoor climbing wall and an eight-lane indoor swimming pool.

The Legislative Council approved HK$536.3 million as capital grant from the Government for the redevelopment project in 2018. ESF contributes around HK$600 million on top of this for the professional consultant fee and related cost, as well as the costs for other extra or non-standard facilities.

About the English Schools Foundation

The English Schools Foundation (ESF) is the largest English-medium international school organisation in Hong Kong. Our 22 schools and comprehensive programme of extra-curricular activities bring out the best in every student through a personalised approach to learning and by inspiring curious minds.

There are over 18,000 students from more than 75 different countries in ESF kindergartens, primary, secondary and all-through schools.

Download Chinese version here