On-Site Coverage | First Joint Interview with Principals of Four Direct Subsidy Scheme Elite Schools: Up Close with the Latest Primary School Admission Trends

On the evening of June 12, a unique “Elite School Principals Forum” was successfully held at the Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel, providing abundant information for parents preparing for primary school admissions. Co-organized by the Hong Kong parent-child education platform ‘parentszonehk’ and the Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council, the event was strongly sponsored by BOC International. Five principals and vice principals from four Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) schools were specially invited to share insights: Vice Principal Chan Pui-yau of Hong Kong Baptist University Affiliated School Wong Kam Fai Secondary and Primary School (WKF), Principal Wong Wai-chung of Hong Kong University Graduates Association Primary School (HKUGA PS), Principal Lo Wai-shing and Vice Principal FOO Pai-man of Evangel College, and Principal Ng Hiu-ling of Lingnan University Hong Kong Alumni Association (Hong Kong) Primary School. They exclusively disclosed each school’s admission criteria and interacted with nearly 500 parents on site, creating a lively atmosphere.

Elite Principals Gather to Share School Characteristics

In recent years, more and more parents have considered DSS private schools, but with distinct features among schools, many are confused about which school suits their children and how to plan for primary school entrance.

During the event, the four principals deeply analyzed their schools’ educational philosophies and broke down the interview process.

Evangel College: Every Child Has Unique Talents

Principal Lo of Evangel College shared the school’s philosophy with parents: emphasizing holistic education and believing every child has unique talents, urging parents to “value” their children. In teaching strategies, the school emphasizes daily classroom performance, with “attitude scores” in each subject to guide students’ progress. The principal even hummed a song to ease parents’ tension about primary school admissions.

Lingnan Primary School: Equipping Children for 21st-Century Challenges

Known for “caring for students,” Lingnan Primary School’s Principal Ng shared the school’s dedication to interdisciplinary courses. In the AI era, the school helps students “learn how to learn” to tackle a changing future. In recent years, 60% of students have entered English-medium secondary schools annually. With a 1:10 teacher-student ratio, the school nurtures each student and maintains active communication with parents to support students growth.

WKF: Cultivating Global Vision with Emphasis on Parent Participation

Deeply favored by parents, this school’s information session tickets are always in high demand. Vice Principal Chan introduced the 12-year continuous education model, shared teaching activities and results of public examinations. The school values cultivating students’ global vision through compulsory third languages, encouraging learning not for exams but to connect with the world, complemented by diverse extracurricular activities. The principal noted that while the school prioritizes happiness, it is a means to an end—learning outcomes matter most.

HKUGA PS*: Clear Learning Goals, Encouraging Students to Embrace Challenges*

Loved by parents for activity-based and experiential learning, Principal Wong shared that the school’s approach isn’t just about enjoyment; it has specific learning goals to help children discover talents and allocate time for development. The principal highlighted the school’s “senior-junior mentorship” culture to cultivate student responsibility.

As many elite schools are currently open for applications, the principals shared interview tips. Multiple principals emphasized family participation, with one noting they observe family dynamics during interviews.

Principal Forum: Interactive Q&A

A special Q&A session invited the four principals to the stage to address parents’ concerns. When asked about WKF announcement of using AI for admissions, Vice Principal Chan clarified that AI assists only with administrative tasks (e.g., reminding parents to complete forms), not content review.

Parentszonehk: Public Welfare Empowers School Admissions

As the organizer, Think Academy and Parentszonehk have long been committed to providing quality educational resources and admission guidance. The forum exemplifies their years of dedication to educational public welfare, helping parents understand elite schools’ requirements and guiding families on educational paths.

Parentszonehk promises to leverage its community platform to foster parent communication and support, contributing to Hong Kong’s educational advancement.(By Fran)