MULTILINGUAL STUDENTS TODAYLIFELONG LEARNERS TOMORROW

Dear Prospective Parent,

Welcome to Victoria Educational Organisation (“VEO”)! We are thrilled you have taken an interest in the benefits we have to offer your children. We hope you will soon become a part of our extended school community.

VEO has been providing the highest quality education to young children in Hong Kong for over 55 years. A pioneer in the field of education, VEO was the first school in Hong Kong to establish in the kindergarten classroom a collaborative, co-teaching environment led by native Chinese- and English-speaking teachers. Meeting the needs of 3,500 students in seven kindergartens, one nursery school and three playgroups, VEO is synonymous with excellence in early childhood education in Hong Kong. A VEO education is tailored to instil in young children a lifelong love of learning, a strong sense of social responsibility and a well-rounded, global vision at an early age.

All of our kindergartens are authorised International Baccalaureate (IB) World Schools, offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP) that is based on a unique maker-centred learning curriculum that motivates children to becoming knowledgeable, principled and open-minded thinkers through their own inquiry-based learning journey.

A proud member of CTF Education Group, VEO is intent on being technology-forward, recruiting professional educators and investing in research-based teaching and learning paradigms. VEO also piloted the research initiative “Agency by Design: Early Childhood in the Making” with Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) to determine how maker-centred learning helps young children develop skills and knowledge within and beyond the STEAM disciplines.

Since 2014, VEO’s team of educators have been receiving regular professional training through Columbia University’s Teachers College Reading and Writing Project (TCRWP), using this framework to prepare children to succeed as avid readers and writers and ensure their smooth transition to primary school.

VEO is built on a bedrock of community and family, and on the premise that education is the shared responsibility of school and home. We believe in the importance of educators, administrators and parents communicating openly and frequently to the benefit of our students, whose every need is our highest priority.

If you have any further questions, or require any additional information, please do not hesitate to call our offices or email us. We look forward to the exciting prospect of welcoming you and your family to our VEO community.

With kind regards,

VEO Leadership Team

Ms. Rebecca IpExecutive Director,

Victoria Educational Organisation

Dr. Richard WongAcademic Advisor, Early Childhood,

Victoria Educational Organisation

BRIGHT PRIMARY SCHOOL FUTURESWe have prepared thousands of students to move on to every kind of primary education. All of our students leave VEO speaking more than one language; learning to collaborate and value the exchange of diverse ideas, opinions and perspectives; feeling creative in their learning and expression, using imagination and insight to produce original and useful ideas and solutions, and willing to be flexible, independent and courageous in the pursuit of learning and in the face of challenges. Graduating VEO students are all well rounded, prepared to meet the challenges of a demanding primary education and continue on the path of lifelong learning.

VEO graduates received 492 offers from Victoria Shanghai Academy (VSA) from 2017 – 2020.

VEO students received an overwhelming number of offers from local Private / Direct Subsidy Primary Schools including: Diocesan Boy’s School Primary Division, Diocesan Girls’ Junior School, St Clare’s Primary School, St. Louis School (Primary Section), St. Paul’s Co-Ed Primary School, St. Stephen’s College Preparatory School and Ying Wa Primary School.

Over 70% of the International School offers hailed from the Chinese International School, Christian Alliance International School, English Schools Foundation (ESF), Hong Kong International School, Singapore International School and The ISF Academy.

To learn more about school placements in different categories, please refer to our website: www.victoria.edu.hk

Primary School Offers Placement Results (2017 - 2020)

WHAT IS THE VEO EDUCATION VEO adopts a unique language learning approach with classes following either a trilingual or bilingual programme. In our trilingual programme, lessons are led by three teachers who speak, native Cantonese, English or Putonghua, and who work collaboratively to immerse children in a rich multilingual environment. Through our “one-teacher-one-language” approach and teacher to student ratio of 1:8, children effectively participate in inquiry-based learning activities in more than one language.

VEO adopts a holistic approach to education. We seek not only to enhance children’s learning skills, but also to nurture a wide range of important attributes that prepare children to become internationally-minded citizens.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Authorised World Schools Our seven kindergartens* are authorised IB World Schools that offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP), which is best positioned to help us provide high quality education experiences for young children. (*Our Upper Kornhill campus offers playgroup and PN programmes only.)

Interdisciplinary Inquiry In a traditional classroom, subjects are taught separately. VEO encourages children to forge connections across disciplines by providing interdisciplinary inquiry-based learning activities. Through the inquiry process, children actively build knowledge by asking questions, collecting data, analysing, organising and reporting information they have uncovered. Children learn to be brave and resourceful in the face of challenges as well as to develop empathy for others.

Future-focused The PYP programme is future-focused. Whereas the “here and now” is extremely important for early childhood development, we also prioritise the development of knowledge, values, attributes and skills that can prepare young children to later become internationally-minded citizens who work together to make the world a better place. We seek to enhance children’s academic skills and nurture a range of important traits (i.e. IB Learner Profile).

Preparation for Lifelong Learning Early childhood sets the stage for lifelong development. By affording children a voice (granting them agency), we plant “seeds” that prepare them to become independent school-age learners.

Columbia University’s Teachers College Reading and Writing Project (TCRWP)TCRWP is a well-known research-based reading and writing programme, which has adopted a cutting-edge approach to language and literacy instruction. TCRWP’s project developers carry out research at schools worldwide to deliver up-to-the-minute training in reading and writing instruction. VEO educators have been participating in this framework in English and Chinese to prepare children to succeed as avid readers and writers as they transition to primary school.

Empower Young ChildrenInstead of being told what to read and what to write, children in our classrooms learn to apply the knowledge and skills that they have learned recently to the reading of new stories or other texts. These workshops afford children agency over their reading.

Effective Learning Flow with Differentiation The workshop kicks off with a mini lesson in which the teacher makes a connection to the children’s previous lesson or life experience and then models one reading or writing tactic. After the mini lesson, children enjoy an extended period of time to write or read independently or together with friends.

An Emphasis on Sharing and Communication In workshops, we encourage children to be creative and to develop communication skills by sharing what they have learned with teachers and peers.

Maker-Centered Learning Research Initiative with Project Zero, Harvard Graduate School of Education VEO has pioneered the research initiative “Agency by Design: Early Childhood in the Making,” with Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) in order to understand how maker-centered learning can help young children develop skills and knowledge within and beyond the STEAM disciplines. Understanding the STEAM disciplines allows children to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in a fast-changing world.

Maker-Centered Learning (MCL) paves the way for STEAM education. To introduce MCL into our curriculum, we worked with researchers at Project Zero to develop an early childhood MCL framework. Specifically, we have now incorporated in-depth thinking routines focused on maker-centered learning goals into children’s inquiry-based learning activities. These routines serve to foster children’s critical and creative thinking skills as well as to boost their integrity and feelings of empathy for others.

Our MCL activities have encouraged children to analyse and even deconstruct the dimensions of their worlds, to encourage the children to think more deeply about the objects and systems that they engage with every day.

The Project Zero MCL initiative was found to not only promote children’s cognitive development but to also encourage them to take ownership of their learning. VEO held the Education Leaders Conference to share the results of the first year of the study with international and Hong Kong education leaders who were interested to see how MCL can be used to reach early childhood education objectives.

OUR FACILITIES The school environment plays an essential role in VEO education, so much so that it could be considered the “third teacher.” Our campuses feature state-of-the-art facilities and designated areas like Activity Rooms; a Reading Corner; a Mixed-age Learning Area; a Light and Shadow Centre; a Parent Relaxation Area; a Creative Play Centre; a Building Blocks Centre; a Music Room; ICT Resources; a Fitness Room and a Stage.

VEO’s experiential and creative learning environment is a thriving place of exploration for children, fostering their growth and development and preparing them for their smooth transition to primary school.

INSPIRING FACULTY The best teachers are passionate about their subject matter, their students and their own professional growth. Our teachers are highly-skilled educators, native English-, Putonghua- and Cantonese-speaking early childhood educators recruited from around the world. They are champions, challengers, connectors and the best role models, pushing our students to think creatively and deeply and develop leadership skills.

We are committed to the growth of our teachers and place a strong emphasis on continuing professional development through monthly in-house training, enrichment seminars, workshops and remote learning opportunities. Our curriculum development team provides essential, multifaceted support to our staff of educators.

Ms. Agnes Tang, Head Teacher of Harbour Heights Campus“Having worked at VEO for over 20 years, I have witnessed my students’ development and growth which left me with wonderful memories. I’m also excited to see some of them back as VEO parents. VEO is a place full of energy, passion and excitement. It’s a place where I feel challenged, strive for self-improvement and can be a life-long learner. VEO is my family!”

Ms. Sonika Mahbubani, Head Teacher of Homantin Campus“I provide students with learning opportunities that cater to their individual needs and interests. I try to ensure that our students are happy and well-rounded and develop a lifelong love of learning. I believe that every child has the potential to achieve his/her dreams, and that with positive support and encouragement, the sky is truly the limit!”

PARENT PARTNERSHIP The VEO parent body is dedicated to enriching our children’s educational experience and creating a positive school community. Through the Parental Participation Scheme, we encourage every parent to be an active partner in their child’s learning by attending teacher conferences and parent education events. Our parents are essential members of our community, sharing their time, energy, experience and unique skills to accomplish our common goals. VEO offers many ways to get involved in the daily life of the school, including assisting in the classroom, reading to children, participating in Parent-Child Sports Day, organising activities or accompanying kids on field trips, to name a few. Direct involvement helps parents develop a greater understanding and appreciation for our VEO approach to learning.

A more formal approach to participation is through our Parent Teacher Association (PTA). The purpose of the PTA is to build and encourage a united, inclusive and supportive parent community and to work with the school to provide a network of communication between parents, faculty and administration. The PTA provides parental support and sponsorship for school-initiated community services and charitable events. VEO and the PTA jointly organise the Parent-Child Educational Tour every year, in which over a hundred families travel together to tourist attractions around the world, broadening children’s horizons and strengthening the bond between parents and school.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES VEO believes that a lively mix of play and an inquiry-based curriculum lays the foundation for lifelong learning. VEO offers a range of optional classes and activities after school that afford children the opportunity to explore their talents, discover their passions and develop their interests. Through such activities as Road Safety Patrol, Grasshopper Scouts, Happy Bee, gymnastics, djembe, ukulele, melodica, hand chime lessons and others, children can hone their musical, artistic and athletic talents while learning the basics of teamwork and friendly competition.

NURSERY AND KINDERGARTEN PROGRAMMES

HONG KONG ISLAND

BELCHERVictoria (Belcher) International Nursery / Victoria (Belcher) KindergartenPortion of Level 3 (Kindergarten Area) The Westwood, 8 Belcher’s Street, Hong Kong

HARBOUR HEIGHTSCauseway Bay Victoria Nursery (Harbour Heights) / Victoria Nursery (Harbour Heights)

Ko Fung Court, Harbour Heights, 5 Fook Yum Road, North Point, Hong Kong

LOWER KORNHILLVictoria International Nursery / Victoria Kindergarten

2-8 Hong On Street, Kornhill, Hong Kong

MIDDLE KORNHILLKornhill Victoria Nursery / Kornhill Victoria Kindergarten

2/F, 18 Hong On Street, Kornhill, Hong Kong

SOUTH HORIZONSVictoria (South Horizons) International Nursery / Victoria (South Horizons) International Kindergarten

Phase 2, Podium Level, South Horizons, Hong Kong

KOWLOON

HARBOUR GREENVictoria (Harbour Green) International Nursery / Victoria (Harbour Green) Kindergarten

G/F, Harbour Green, 8 Sham Mong Road, Kowloon

HO MAN TINVictoria (Homantin) International Nursery

1/F., Carmel-on-the-Hill, 9 Carmel Village Street, Homantin, Kowloon

INFANT AND TODDLER PROGRAMMEUPPER KORNHILL

Victoria (Kornhill) NurseryG/F., 14 Hong Yue Street, Kornhill, Hong Kong

INFANT AND TODDLER PLAYGROUP

HONG KONG ISLAND

Victoria Playpark (Harcourt House)Room 305-8, 3rd Floor, Harcourt House, 39 Gloucester Road, Wanchai

KOWLOON

Victoria Playpark (K11 MUSEA)Shop B230 & B232, Level B2, K11 MUSEA, Victoria Dockside,

18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

Victoria (Carmel-on-the-Hill) PlaygroupG/F, Carmel-on-the-Hill, 9 Carmel Village Street, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon

CAMPUSES

www.victoria.edu.hk

enquiry@victoria.edu.hk