discovery bay international school prospectus

SCHOOL PROSPECTUS

Table of Contents

Our shared Core Values, Mission and Aims page 1

Welcome and Introduction page 3

Approach to Learning page 5

Curriculum

•EarlyYears page7

•Primary page9

•Secondary page11

StudentProgress page13

StudentSupport page15

ExtraCurricularOpportunities page17

CampusesandFacilities page19

Admissions page 21

Our Core ValuesWe respect the needs and rights of each member of our community.

We show care, kindness and compassion to others.

We are supportive of each other.

We embrace diversity and celebrate individuality.

We are responsible and honest in our actions.

Our Mission We provide an outstanding education to students in an inclusive and nurturing learning environment. We seek to inspire and empower students to succeed in fulfilling their individualpotentialinarapidlychangingworld.

Our Aims• Topromoteacultureofexcellenceinteachingandlearning.• Toprovideanindividualisedandpersonalisedapproachtolearningtogetherwithsmall

classsizesandflexibleteachingmethods.• Toprovideabroadandbalancedcurriculumthatreflectstheinternationalnatureofthe

DBISstudentcommunity.• Toensureasupportive,happyandsecureenvironmentforlearning.• Todevelopleadershipskillsandasenseofservicetoothersthrougharangeofextra

curricularopportunitieslocallyandinternationally.• Toencouragethephysicalandemotionalwellbeingofeachindividual.• Touseinnovativepedagogyandtechnologytoenrichlearning.• Toworkinpartnershipwithparents,alumni,thelocalandwidercommunity inthe

ongoing development of the school. • Tofosteralearningcommunitywhereeverystudent,teacher,staffmember,parentand

DBISalumnihasanongoingpassionforlearning.

The DBIS community

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Welcome and Introduction

DiscoveryBayInternationalSchool(DBIS)isverydifferenttootherinternationalschoolsinHongKong.CentredinthewonderfulcommunityofDiscoveryBayonthebeautifulislandofLantau,theschoolderivesmuchstrengthfromitstranquil locationanditssurroundingactivecommunity.Establishingandmaintainingstrong,caring,respectfulandsupportivepersonalrelationshipsiskeytotheDBISethos.OurapproachallowsDBIS’outstandingteacherstowork in tandem with supportive and aspirational parents in focusing upon the individual. It also allows students to

concentrate on the challenging task of learning, growing and developing as individuals.

OurstudentsenjoyabroadinternationalcurriculumwithBritishcharacteristicsandadistinctivelearningjourneythatbeginsintheEarlyYears(age3-5),progressestothePrimaryschool(age6-11),andculminatesintheSecondaryschool(age12-16).TheDBISstudentexperienceischaracterisedbyahighlypersonalisedlearningenvironment,smallclasssizes,creativeapproachestoteachingandlearning,andabroadrangeofextracurricularactivities.

Theschoolhasdevelopedintandemwiththecommunityitserves.Establishedin1983withaninitialcohortof3studentsand3staff,theschoolnowcomprises40differentnationalities,950studentsand154stafflocatedontwoverywellresourcedcampuses.

Returningformerstudentswillrecognisethedistinctivefeeloftheschool,suchasthewarm,happyandcaringatmosphere,buttheywillalsorecognisethattheschoolhasgrownandchangedfromavillageschooltoatrulyinternationalcommunityschool.

Asillustratedbyourschool’saimsandmissionweareincrediblyambitiousforourstudents.Weareintentonensuringthateverystudentissupportedandencouragedtoreachtheirindividualpotential.Weareaninternationalcommunityschoolcommittedtotheconstantpursuitofexcellenceinordertoachievethebestpossibleoutcomesforallourstudents.

We believe that we are well placed for further growth, development and success as our actions are rooted in strong collective values andadesiretoequipourstudentswiththeskills,knowledgeandmindsetneededforahappyandsuccessfullife.Wehopethatthisprospectusgivesyouagenuineflavourofwhatwedoandhowwedoit.Thereismuchmoreonourwebsitewww.dbis.edu.hk.

Paul ToughHeadofSchoolDiscoveryBayInternationalSchool

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“We encourage DBIS students to be confident communicators, to be creative, resourceful and inquisitive.”

Approach to Learning

HighexpectationsandthepursuitofexcellencearefundamentaltoourapproachtolearningatDBIS.FromtheEarlyYears,tothePrimaryandintoSecondarywearefocusedondevelopingindependentlearnerswhoarecuriousabouttheworldaroundthemandhavedesiretoexploreandenquire.StudentsatDBISthrivewhenfacedwithachallengeandareincreasinglyexposedtodynamic,activeandengagingopportunitiesandexperiencesbothinsideandoutsidethe classroom.

Arangeofextrasupportexists forallstudentstopursuetheirstrengthsandinterests inadditiontodevelopingtheircuriosity,independence, confidence and resilience when meeting new challenges.

WeencourageDBISstudentstobeconfidentcommunicators,tobecreative,resourcefulandinquisitive.DBISlearnerscollaborate,shareideasandopinionsandworktogetherinteams.DBISlearnersworkhardandareproudoftheirachievements.

Smallclasssizesallowteacherstimetotrulyunderstandeverychildanddevelopstronghomeschoollinks.Fundamentally,atDBIS,weprioritisepersonalisedlearning.Welookateachstudent’sindividualneeds,trackingtheirprogressandidentifyingnextstepsforeach of them. Through this we aim to ensure that all students make good progress and are supported in reaching their full potential.

Attheheartofourbroadandbalancedcurriculumareanumberofareas thatwefeelareessential forstudents toexperiencethroughouttheirlearningjourneyatDBIS.Theseincludeproblemsolvingthoughmathematicsandcomputing,proficiencyinEnglish,developmentofanadditionallanguage,creativityandperformanceinMusic,ArtandDrama,plushealthandwellbeingthroughsportandphysicaleducation.

Equally, as an international school inHongKong,wepassionatelybelieve that it isessential forour students todevelopanunderstandingof,andappreciationfor,differentnationalitiesandcultures. InternationalismpermeateseverysubjectatDBISandunderpinsalldiscussions,actionsandviewsenablingourschoolcommunityto interactwithand learn fromourhostcountry.MandarinChineseistaughtineveryyeargroupthroughouttheschoolwhileFrenchandSpanishareoptionalsubjectsatSecondarylevel.Increasingly,theschoolisalsousingtheworldaroundusasacontextforlearning,ourstudentsengageinvariousenvironmentalissuesthathelpthemtobecomesociallyandinternationallyaware.Opportunitiesforenhancedstudentvoiceandstudentserviceisadeveloping feature of school life, thus enabling all students to take action and gain a deeper and more compassionate understanding of the world around them.

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EarlyYears

Curriculum

“Early years teachers inspire children to learn through individual care and attention, a n d a h ap py a n d c a r i n g atmosphere.”

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EarlyYears(NurseryandReception)

TheEarlyYearsFoundationStage(EYFS)curriculumis thestartingpointfortheDBISapproachtolearning.EarlyYearsteachersinspirechildrentolearnthroughdoing inanenvironmentcharacterisedbya fulldayschoolexperience,childledactivities,avariedandbalancedcurriculum,individualcareandattention,andahappyandcaringatmosphere.Teachersrecognise

theimportanceofself-directedplayandbalancethiswithadultinitiatedactivities.

OurEarlyYearssectionoftheschoolislocatedonadistinctcampusandcatersforbothnurseryandreceptionstudents.Wecurrentlyhave5nurseryclassesand5receptionclasses.

Eachclasscomprisesof20students,oneteacherandonefulltimeeducationalassistant.TheEarlyYearsfacilitiesarespaciousandwelcoming.Theyincludeanengagingoutsideplayareawithdelightfulgrounds,purposebuiltclassrooms,a library,amusicroom,a computer suite and an indoor reception room. We aim to provide the best learning opportunities in a stimulating and nurturing environment.

SpecialistteachersintheEarlyYearsareprovidedintheareasofphysicaleducation,music,InformationCommunicationTechnology(ICT)andMandarinChinese.TheHeadofEarlyYearsworkscloselywiththeEarlyYearsteachingteamtofindoutabouteachstudent’sneeds and interests. We assess learning and development through frequent observation and evidenceofstudent’swork.Eachstudenthasanelectroniclearningjournalthatisusedtoevidenceandreflectuponhisorherprogress.Crucially,theEarlyYearsteamensuresthatparentsarewelcomedandencouragedtobepartoftheirchild’seducationalexperience.

CurriculumPrimary

“It is an approach that helps to prepare students for the future by ensuring that they develop critical thinking skills, leadership skills, personal skills, ICT skills and environmental awareness through a rigorous curriculum.”

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Primary(Years1-6)

InthePrimaryschoolstudentsaretaughtwritingandreading,personal,socialandhealtheducation(PSHE),humanitiesandthe InternationalPrimaryCurriculum(IPC)bytheirclassteacher.Thereisspecialistteachinginmathematics,art,music,MandarinChinese,physicaleducationandICT.KeyStage1andKeyStage2oftheEnglishNationalCurriculumareusedasthemainframeworkinourPrimary

School.

TheIPCisacomprehensive,thematic,creativecurriculumfor3-11yearolds,withaclearprocessof learningandwithspecific learninggoals foreverysubject, for internationalmindedness and for personal learning. It is an approach that helps to prepare students for thefuturebyensuringthattheydevelopcriticalthinkingskills,leadershipskills,personalskills, ICT skills and environmental awareness through a rigorous curriculum.

AsisthecaseintheEarlyYears,thereisastrongemphasison,andhighexpectationsofourstudents in mathematics, reading and writing.

Everyyear, students inyears5and6goawayonresidentialcamps,undercanvasorinyouthhostels.All tripscompliment thecurriculumand introducechildrentonewsituations and challenges.

OurPrimarycampuscatersforstudentsfromYear1toYear6.Therearefourclasses ineachyeargroup.Classnumbersarecarefullymonitoredtoensurethatappropriatestudentteacher ratios are maintained where possible at an optimum number of one teacher to 24 students. Along with the provision of class teachers, education assistants have been appointed to assist in the classrooms and in a range of other areas of the school.

CurriculumSecondary

“The curriculum and our approach to teaching and learning seeks to ensure that students develop a range of essential thinking skills, knowledge of key concepts, and crucially, an aptitude for continuous learning.”

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SecondarySchool(Years7-11)

TheSecondaryschool’sdistinction lies intheemphasisplaceduponsmallclass sizes, a personalised approach to student learning, and the pursuit of creativityandinnovation.Secondaryschoolteachersknowtheirstudentswell and are able to individualise their support and programmes according to the needs of each student.

TheSecondaryschoolprovidesabroadandbalancedcurriculumbasedontheEnglishNationalCurriculumandtailoredtomeettheneedsof internationalstudentsbasedinHongKong.Thecurriculumandourapproachtoteachingandlearningseekstoensurethatstudentsdeveloparangeofessentialthinkingskills,knowledgeofkeyconcepts,andcrucially,anaptitudeforcontinuouslearning.

Studentsinyears7,8and9accessarangeofsubjectswhichincludeEnglish,mathematics,languages (MandarinChinese,SpanishandFrench), science,humanities, technology,creativearts,computingandphysicaleducation.

Secondaryschoolstudentsinallyeargroupsarealsochallengedtoinvestigateandrespondtocomplexquestions,problemsor themes through interdisciplinaryProjectBasedLearning(PBL)tasks.

The learning journey forDBISstudentsculminates inyears10and11whenstudentscompleteexaminationsinarangeofsubjectsleadingtotheawardofInternationalGeneralCertificatesofSecondaryEducation(IGCSE),externallyaccreditedandinternationallyrecognisedqualifications.Typically,studentsatDBISwillcompleteexaminationsin7or8subject areas.

Graduating students leave DBIS at the end of Year 11 academically, socially andemotionallyverywellprepared for further study inYears12and13.TheDBISandtailoredcurriculumandlearningexperienceprepareourgraduatestobecritical,creativeand independent thinkers.Crucially, it alsoprepares students forarangeofexcitingeducationalpossibilitiesandchallengesinHongKongorabroadincludingtheInternationalBaccalaureate Diploma, A Levels or the BTech qualifications.

“At DBIS we passionately believe that formative assessment underpins effective learning and teaching.”

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StudentProgress

Studentprogress in theEarlyYears,PrimaryschoolandSecondaryschool ismonitoredcloselyinanumberofdifferentways.Commonlythiswill involveformalassessmentsthataregivenatapointintimetoestablishstudents’levelsof understanding and knowledge. It will also involve informal and ongoing assessment of student performance.

AtDBISwepassionatelybelievethat formativeassessmentunderpinseffectivelearningand teaching. Teachers aim to ensure that students of all ages understand the learning intentions and criteria for success, receive ongoing and constructive feedback on their learning, and are active learners who evaluate their own progress.

Theschoolmaintainsassessmentdatabyindividualteachersandcentrallyinordertotrackstudentprogress,modifyteachingapproachesandtosetindividualisedstudenttargets.

A combination of written reports, parent/teacher/student meetings, electronic learning journals, open mornings and academic review mornings are used to update parents on theirchild’sprogress.

“The school encourages a strong partnership with parents. We value open and ongoing communication between school and home.”

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StudentSupport

DBISisasafe,caring,friendlyandsupportiveenvironment.Wevalueeverymemberoftheschoolcommunityandlooktoensurethatallstudentsdevelopself-confidence,self-respectandresilience.

Class teachers(EarlyYearsandPrimary)andformtutors(Secondary)playacrucialpastoral rolewitheach student in theircare.Class teachersand formtutors are the first point of contact for teachers, students and parents if there are issues ofconcern.Ourschool’svaluesandthedistinctsetofvirtuesassociatedwiththeIPCcurriculumguideourapproachwhendealingwithpastoralissues.Ourschool’svaluesalsoprovide a reference for helping students develop and maintain positive relationships.

The school encourages a strong partnership with parents. We value open and ongoing communicationbetweenschoolandhome.Studentsachievewhenteachersandparentsworkinunison.Wewelcomeparentscontactingtheschoolatanytimetospeaktotherelevantclassteacher,tutor,yeargroupleader(EarlyYearsandPrimary),housegroupleader(Secondary)orSeniorLeadershipTeammemberinchargeoftherelevantsection.

Theschool isalsoveryaware that somestudentsmayrequiremodifiedprogrammesofstudyoradditionalsupport inagivenareaof learning.Theschool’s individualneedsdepartmentprovidesa rangeof support structuresandprogrammes foravarietyofdifferentlearners.Primarilytheseinclude:

• Targetedsupportdesignedtocater for studentswhoneedextrahelp inorder tounderstand the curriculum and make progress.

• AnintensiveEnglishasanadditional languageprogrammedesignedtodevelopandconsolidatethelanguageproficiencyofsomestudents.

• Giftedand talentedprogrammes for some studentswhobenefit froma levelofextrachallengeandextensioninspecificareasoftheirlearningsuchasmathematics,languages, reading and writing.

Aboveall,DBISisaninclusiveschoolinwhichstudentswitharangeofadditionalneedsarefullyandactivelywelcomedintoallaspectsofoureducationalprovision.

“Students have the ability to pursue t h e i r i n d iv i d u a l p a s s i o n s a n d interests or challenge themselves with something new.”

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ExtraCurricularOpportunities

Students are encouraged to take part in the wider life of the school through participation inanextensiveextracurricularactivitiesprogramme.Weofferover30differentactivitiesthroughouttheacademicyear.Studentshavetheabilitytopursuetheirindividualpassionsandinterestsorchallengethemselveswith something new.

Sport and the creative arts are strong features of the extra curricular activitiesprogramme.Studentshavetheopportunitytorepresenttheschoolincompetitivesport,join an orchestra, choir or band, participate in a drama production or in a school show. The school’s sports andcreative artsprogrammesprovidesopportunities forbroadparticipationandenjoymentcoupledwithadistinctprogrammeofcompetitivesportandperformance opportunities. Our dedicated staff can be seen running activities before and afterschoolorontheweekends.Wealsoprovideexternalspecialistcoachingasandwhennecessaryinsomeareas.

Studentscanalsodeveloptheir leadershipskillsby takingpart inoneof theschool’sserviceorcharityprojects,membershipofourenvironmentalgroups,joiningtheStudentCouncil, asHeadStudents,ModelUnitedNationsmembership,becomingahouserepresentativeorasapeermediator.Studentsarealsoencouragedtoproposeanddevelopschool projects or initiatives of their own.

Anumberofacademicextracurricularopportunitiesalsoexist forstudentswishingtofurther their interest inmathematics, technology,computing,art, languages, science,humanities and critical thinking.

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Campuses and Facilities

DiscoveryBayInternationalSchool isspreadacrosstwocampuses. BothourEarlyYears campus andour combinedPrimary andSecondarycampusesareextremelywellequipped.Westrivetocreateformalandinformal learning environments that encourage students to be inquisitive, activeandcreative.Thekeyfacilitiesavailableforourstudentsinclude:

• Extensiveoutdoorspaceforactiveplay• ExtensiveplayequipmentforEarlyYearsandPrimarystudents• Anartificialturfedsportspitch• Wellequippedclassrooms• Anauditorium• Agymnasium• Aswimmingpool• Dramarooms• Sciencelaboratories• TheDiscoveryCentrewhichaccommodates the school library, resourcecentre,

computersuites,artstudio,designtechnologysuites,musicsuitesandinstrumentalpractice rooms

• Acafe-TheBoardwalkCafé

Theschool isalsoverywellresourcedwithICTandlearningtechnologies.ThisallowsDBISteacherstouselearningtechnologyjudiciouslyintheirlessons.AllstudentsintheSecondaryschoolareprovidedwiththeirowniPadswhilestudentsintheEarlyYearsandPrimaryschoolhaveaccess toclass sets.Theschoolhas fullwirelessconnectivityandteachers,studentsandparentsuseouronlinelearningplatformsextensively.

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Admissions

DBISisauniqueschool.Thereisn’tanotherinternationalschoollikeitinHongKong.Wedoencourageyouandyourchildtovisitustoexperiencethe school in action before making an application. The school hosts a numberofopendays,parentforumsandmorningteasthroughouttheyear.Weare averywelcomingand friendly school.Tours andvisits

hostedbyamemberoftheSeniorLeadershipTeamcanalsobearrangedonrequest.Pleasevisittheschoolwebsiteorcontacttheadmissionsteamformoreinformationat admissions@dbis.edu.hk

Pleasenote thatall studentsapplying toDBIS inPrimaryandSecondaryundertakeawrittenEnglishproficiencyassessmentandattendan interviewwithamemberof theschool’sSeniorLeadershipTeam.Priortoplacesbeingofferedtoapplicants,parentswillalsoberequiredtomeetamemberoftheSeniorLeadershipTeam.

“DBIS is a unique school. There isn’t another international school like it in Hong Kong.”

Contact

Head of SchoolPaulTough

Address:DiscoveryBayInternationalSchoolDiscoveryBayLantau IslandHongKong

Telephone: EarlyYearscampus:(+852)29142142Primary/Secondarycampus:(+852)29877331

Email: ptough@dbis.edu.hkadmissions@dbis.edu.hkdbis@dbis.edu.hk

Website:www.dbis.edu.hk

www.dbis.edu.hk