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Hong Kong
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South Island School delivers SEL mainly through its Pastoral Learning Curriculum (PLC), which explicitly includes wellbeing, values, and citizenship strands. Tutor groups in Years 7–9 integrate SEL activities into daily routines, and students work with a consistent tutor who monitors their development. The school also runs Values in Action (VIA), where students engage in projects that build empathy, teamwork, and responsibility. Leadership opportunities, such as the Student Council and Diversity Council, also provide practical contexts for developing social and emotional skills.
The school operates an inclusive model using “Levels of Adjustment” (LOA 1-4) to tier support within mainstream classes, with Educational Assistants for LOA 3 and 4. The Learning Diversity / Individual Needs Department collaborates with teachers to plan adjustments and interventions. Students needing greater support may attend Learning Support Centre (LSC) classes, follow bespoke curricula, and use alternative programmes (e.g. ASDAN, TQUK) especially in senior years. Exam access arrangements are provided to eligible students under regulatory bodies (IB, exam boards) based on documented need. The school is not a specialist SEN institution, but a regular school with inclusive provisions.
South Island School refers to such students as Bilingual or Multilingual Learners (BMLs) and offers English for Academic Purposes (EAP) classes and enrichment programmes to help them develop language competence. Teachers receive training in strategies for bilingual/multilingual learners to support them in mainstream classes. New Y7 students are assessed to identify support needs in reading, writing or speaking English; those needing help may be scheduled into pull-out or targeted support.
The vice principal is responsible for overseeing well-being systems, and the school states that well-being is at the “heart” of its practices. The school uses surveys and reflective tools (especially within DEI and inclusion work) to monitor belonging and psychological safety. The Family Leadership Team (FLT) collaborates with staff to provide multi-layered support to students.
South Island School states that ESF “upholds every child’s right to learn and live in conditions that protect them from harm,” and anchors actions in strong policy, proactive and responsive measures, and collaboration with families. The school maintains a Child Protection Officers Network as part of ESF’s system. The school’s policies (e.g. via its “Key School Policies” page) include safeguarding, privacy, and conduct guidelines.
South Island School is an English-medium, Years 7–13 secondary on Hong Kong Island’s south side (Deep Water Bay/Aberdeen). It offers the IB Middle Years Programme in Years 7–9, IGCSEs (Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel) in Years 10–11, and three senior pathways in Years 12–13: IB Diploma Programme, IB Career-related Programme (including BTEC options), and the SIS Diploma. The campus includes a renovated School Hall that seats 400+ for performances and a rugby-appropriate AstroTurf pitch. The language of instruction is English, with Chinese, French, Japanese, Spanish, and Korean offered through multiple pathways. A distinctive feature is the school’s Making a Difference ethos, seen in community projects within the MYP and whole-school events such as International Evening, TEDxTSIS, and service-oriented programmes.
