Some of the highlights of this week were the Einstein bake sale, year 12 performance, the Valentine’s Gratitude delivery – and let’s not forget the dress purple day! The bake sale was plentiful, as so many of the Einstein year 8, 9, and 10’s contributed and brought their homemade goods to the sale. The courtyard smelled heavenly during the break and lunchtimes on Wednesday. The Thursday year 12 performance surely brought joy to the community and anyone watching. We certainly have a lot of talented dancers in the Einstein older years! And last but not least, the Valentine’s Gratitude delivery on Friday. These heartfelt letters were sent around the school, whether it be for someone you’re grateful for or someone who is maybe a little more, we all hope that you either sent or received a letter from a special somebody. 

While the Einstein charity week is certainly a delight, let’s not let the excitement sweep us away from the main goal of the week – to raise money for Katja House. All proceeds from the week have gone to Katja House, a charity organization that cares for street children in Kathmandu, Nepal. The Einstein house is eternally grateful that they are able to make a difference in these children’s lives by hosting the charity week, and you should be too for participating in the week’s fundraising activities. We thank you for enjoying the week with us and contributing to that difference.

Lastly, while this week has come to an end, we’d still like to extend our thanks to the head of Einstein house, Mr. Harries, for organising the entire week, the year 13s who ran the delivery, the year 12s who performed the dance, and the year 8, 9, and 10s for running the bake sale. 

After the success this week, we hope you’re already excited for the rest of the Charity weeks coming up!

Immediately after the opening of the Winter Fair, guests were greeted with spectacular musical performances and a mini art exhibition at the entrance, which really set the mood of the scene. Later on, the Interhouse Junk Fashion Show was held in the performance space, where Year 7-10 students worked together to create an outfit. As the event name suggests, they were only allowed to use “junk” such as newspapers and cardboard. So, you could imagine my astonishment when I saw the extent of creativity of the competing students as they transformed trash into treasure (quite literally— I’m pretty sure the “newspaper” outfits could pass off as actual ones in the stores). Following the Fashion Show, we were graced with K-pop dance performances along with impressive singers. 

Many people may think that the Winter Fair is only hosted to celebrate Christmas. Although this is definitely part of the reason, this year’s Fair, held in January (so technically Spring Fair!), has proven this theory very, very wrong. Not only has it shown the fact that simply the collaboration and enthusiasm of the Island School community were worth celebrating, but it also showcases the unwavering commitment from everyone, which made every annual Winter Fair as memorable as it is. 

Of course, we’d like to thank the Island School PTA Committee members, parent volunteers, students, and staff for organising the Winter Fair— It has truly exceeded our expectations, and sets the bar higher every year!

This was no ordinary walk. Students arrived dressed in a vibrant range of Disney costumes, whose outfits aligned with their house colors. Students truly cared about the Whole School Walk as seen by the variety of costumes, such as a dinosaur, Snow White’s apples, and even Chip and Dale.

This cause is both ambitious and profoundly meaningful. This year, the school community aims to raise a remarkable $300,000, in support of the Nicola and Kenneth Bursaries. Achieving this target will be a new milestone, surpassing last year’s incredible fundraising total of $245,000. This new target will be achieved if every member of the school community donates $250. 

The walk was thoughtfully staggered across iconic Hong Kong locations, creating a combined walk of all students across the city. Years 7 and 8 walked around the usual cross-country grounds of Borrett Road. Years 9, 10, and11 left the comfort of school grounds for the Harbour Front, while our senior students in Years 12 and 13 traversed the iconic Peak. 

The bursaries we support represent the very heart of Island School’s values. The Island School trust runs an annual bursary scheme in memory of former Islanders, Nicola Myers and Kenneth McBride, whose lives were tragically cut short. The bursary was started up in 1985 by ESF (English School Foundation). It recognises and supports local school students in Hong Kong who, despite facing significant financial hardship, demonstrate extraordinary tenacity, perseverance, and dedication in their pursuit of academic excellence. 

Each bursary awards each local school student 4,000 HKD to crucially support their funding for textbooks, exam fees, and forms of assistance in education. The Whole School Walk aims to support over 40 students with bursaries with the $300,000 raised. 

This event could not possibly be completed without the student volunteers who acted as marshals to take photos, direct lost students, and take photographs of form groups.

Edited by Kailey Chan

The event aimed to raise money and awareness towards the Nicola and Kenneth Bursaries; Two Island school students who tragically died during their school year. The bursaries are dedicated to students with academic excellence but struggle financially. Bursaries of $3,000 are awarded to each student which can be used to purchase books, stationery, etc. Students are advised to donate $250 towards the bursaries with a minimum of $100 per student. 

Awareness wasn’t the only point of the walk, it was also an event for adding an element of creativity among students and promoting participation in further school events. In the future, the Nicola and Kenneth bursaries aim to support more unprivileged kids through helping them receive the proper support to continue their excellence in education; all while allowing students at Island School to celebrate their virtues and creativity.

Photos by Media Team photographers

Mr. Loggie, knowing that this was a crucial issue, initiated plans for the redevelopment of the school facilities and organized the temporary relocation of students to Sha Tin while construction took place. This decision not only influenced the lives of the Island School community alike, but also ensured that the school stayed united and engaged throughout the entire process, fostering a sense of responsibility, resilience, and adaptability. The Island School community is deeply grateful for the effort Mr. Loggie put into our school, for we wouldn’t be where we are today without him. 

Now that Mr. Loggie has retired, Mrs. Nina Gunson has arrived from the UK to HK.  Island School is excited to work with Mrs. Nina Gunson, especially in marking a new era of leadership and opportunity for growth. In an interview with Mrs. Gunson, when asked about her main aim for Island School, she said,

“I aim to build on the school’s rich history and strong foundations and continue to create an environment where every student feels empowered to reach their full potential.”

Additionally, she expressed her first impression of Island school to be, quote,

“There is such a strong sense of community here – where individuality is celebrated, and people look out for one another.”

Furthermore, when asking students what they felt about the transition, many were sad to see Mr. Loggie go but were excited to see what lies ahead with Ms. Gunson as Principal.

Island School thanks Mr. Loggie and all the significant contributions he has made to our community. In the final Island School newsletter that was written by him, he stated that, “We’ve been through a lot together, and although not everything went precisely to plan, our ability to keep the interests of our wonderful students at the heart of everything we do has been the secret to our profound success.” Now that Mrs. Nina Gunson has arrived, our community welcomes her and is excited for the development of our school!

Chinese Lunar Year, Spring Festival, and Lunar New Year are all terms used to refer to the festival celebrated by many countries worldwide, including Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, China, and more! The dates for LNY are different each year, as the Chinese calendar is based on the moon’s 12 phases which consist of about 354 days in a year. This is a time when families reunite together for dinners and gatherings to celebrate the new year!

Now let’s dive into some interesting facts about the year of the snake! This Chinese zodiac is most commonly associated with intelligence, creativity, determination, and love. Did you know that there are different types of snakes based on the Chinese elements (wood, fire, water, metal, and earth)? These elemental animals follow a 60-year cycle, this year we welcome once again the year of the wood snake. Celebrities born under the sign of the snake include Mahatma Gandhi, Pablo Picasso, Anne Frank, John F Kennedy, J.K. Rowling, Taylor Swift, and more!

HK has many unique celebrations regarding celebrating the LNY including fireworks (Jan 30th), the Tai Po wishing tree, the many distinct flower markets all over HK, and the CNY night parade in Tsim Sha Tsui.

This year the culture team at Island School set up an abundance of activities for the Island School community to enjoy during the CNY week. Activities consisted of photo booths, plushie stalls, lion dance, student and staff performances, and crafts stalls. The week ended with the annual LNY assembly featuring three unique chinese dances and dress traditional day, where students came to school dressed in an array of vibrant, colorful outfits.

Lastly, after interviewing Natasha Lam (head of culture) we were able to find out some of the challenges the team faced when organizing events like these. She said that common challenges consist of the organization of events, communication with staff/student volunteers, organizing the order of events, and publicity!

Now that’s a wrap for this year’s Lunar New Year article, filled with insights into celebrations in Island School and a ton of LNY facts!

https://multimedia.scmp.com/infographics/news/china/article/3295411/year-of-snake-2025/index.html

https://asia.si.edu/whats-on/events/celebrations/lunar-new-year-celebration

Earlier this month, Einstein held a love filled charity week with events to support their partner charity, Katja House. Katja House was a foundation started over 25 years ago when Island School students and teachers trekking in Nepal noticed the lack of opportunities for the typical Nepali school child. This prompted them to set up the Katja House charity to enhance the opportunities the acutely impoverished Nepali children had.

Today, Einstein house continues to support Katja house. During their charity week between the 11th and 14th of February, the house held plushie bake sales, a joint house night with Da Vinci house and Einsteins annual student favourite event : their valentines delivery service. Love was definitely in the air on February 14th with many students receiving roses, chocolates, letters and even serenades. 

More recently, Nansen held their annual charity week supporting Baiwan and the IS trust. Baiwan similarly supports underprivileged children but supports those in rural China. Between the 24th and 28th, Nansen held a variety of events ranging from Karaoke in the courtyard, a house carnival to even biathlon events. Both events were vastly successful and will go on to continue to support those in our community.

November 22, 2024—a day to remember. Island School’s Winter Fair is an annual event filled to the brim with joy, laughter, and most importantly—lots of food. In preparation for this year’s Winter Fair, the Island School community was busy preparing delicious food, setting up game stalls, shops, practicing for performances, coordinating the fair and much more! Ultimately, the hard work paid off— the 2024 Winter Fair attracted an impressive amount of more than 3000 attendees. From the colour tinsel and ornaments that adorned every corner of the school to the red-and-green themed baked goods, the Winter Fair fully embraced the Christmas spirit. 

Personally, the best aspect of the Winter Fair was the game stalls and the food—eating the endless rows of diverse cuisine and playing the house-themed games in the Sports Hall was definitely a highlight of the night. On top of that, there were second-hand uniforms and books sold at a cheap price of as low as $20!

Here are some thoughts from Annabelle, a dance performer in Island School Winter Fair: 

“Being able to perform in the Winter Fair dance show was a valuable experience for me. After weeks of dedication and hard work, the three minutes on stage finally paid off! It felt so fulfilling to be able to present our performance to the audience and connect over our success. The experience was also even more valuable by the fact that my teammates and I encouraged and supported each other during the act. I would also like to thank everyone involved in planning the Winter Fair. Your efforts enabled the event to be a success, and I thank you sincerely for a job well done. This event was indeed an unforgettable experience!”

~Annabelle AU, 09DT

The money earned from last year’s Winter Fair were used to fund the purchase of tables with shading in LG3 greenspace, allowing Year 7 & 8 students to have a more comfortable area to rest at. I’m thrilled to see what will be done with the proceeds of this 2025 Winter Fair! Special thanks to the teachers and staff who had coordinated the event, and the students who performed, volunteered, and set up the wonderful stalls and shops! 

The Winter Fair is a lot more than just a fun performance or bake sale, it is a cherished event that brings teachers, students, and staff together and allows Islanders to feel a sense of pride and belonging within the school. Along with that, it is an opportunity for students to showcase their talents, socialise with others, and work together to fundraise for the entire Island School community. I can’t wait to see everybody again later this year for another unforgettable experience!

As a first-time delegate in the MUN, I had a wonderful experience. From eating with my friends to watching other delegates gamble all their tokens away, it was an amazing lesson that taught me that MUNs weren’t just “nerdy” and highly intellectual events; they were also a time to make new friends from other schools and, more importantly, have fun. Now, as I reflect on my 2 days, I realize that I have learned 2 main things.

Firstly, collaboration is key. From forming blocs to writing resolutions, everything required collaboration. Without collaborating, our resolutions would have been broken up and jumbled. Being an active listener is important as well; to make people hear and respect your points, you will have to do so as well.

Secondly, have fun! MUN is often thought of as a serious and nerdy event, but I discovered that it’s equally about enjoyment and engagement. From trolling our chairs to gambling, all of it gave us a sense of happiness. So remember to chill out and have fun in your next MUN; it’s not always about the awards but more about the fun and joyful moments you create.

In conclusion, ISLMUN taught me the importance of collaboration and enjoying the experience. Beyond awards and speeches, I will always cherish and remember the friendships and fun moments I’ve had.

Allow me to introduce you to my newly invented recipe– Pumpkin Scookies! The term “scookie” was inspired by the idea of a delightful blend between a scone and a cookie; perfect for an evening sweet treat! 

To provide some context, I initially intended to use a standard cookie recipe, but I made it into a scone-like shape for a twist. As a passionate baker, I couldn’t let myself simply rely on store bought ingredients, instead I made my own pumpkin pie spice for the recipe! 

Enough of explanations, let’s get straight into it  

Pumpkin pie spice

Creating pumpkin pie spice can be done in a jiffy. Just gather all the ingredients from the list below and you’re ready to spice things up! 

Here’s what you need: 

• 3 tablespoons of ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons of ground ginger
• 1 ½ teaspoons of ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon of ground clove
• 1 teaspoon of ground allspice
• A pinch of ground pepper

This only took five minutes to make, but I’m certain it will elevate your autumn baking for more than five weeks of deliciousness! 

Caramel frosting

I decided to mix up a batch of caramel frosting to add an extra layer of deliciousness on top of the crunchy texture of the pumpkin cookie. 

Here’s the list of ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of butter
• ½ cup of brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons of milk
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter until fully liquified. Keep stirring the mixture to prevent the bottom of the saucepan from burning. 

Don’t turn off the heat just yet and add the brown sugar and milk. If your brown sugar resembles a lumpy potato, give it a good sieve to avoid any grainy bits. Let everything simmer until the brown sugar and milk completely dissolve in.

Remove the butter mixture from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. It’s time to bring back the sieve! Use it to add half of the icing sugar into the mixture, and beat it until fully combined. Then, add the vanilla extract along with the rest of the icing sugar. 

Voila! The caramel frosting is ready! I stored the frosting in the refrigerator for a few hours just to get that consistency right. 

Pumpkin cookies

There’s something about this season that always makes my heart flutter with excitement over the baking treats I can whip up. This time, it was pumpkin cookies, and I was thrilled to hear my friends chatter about how much they loved my recipe. I’d be delighted to share it with everyone so you can enjoy these delicious cookies too!

Here’s the list:

• ½ Cup Butter Salted or unsalted, softened
• ½ Cup Granulated sugar
• ⅓ Cup Brown sugar
• 1 Egg yolk
• ¼ cup Pumpkin puree
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 1 & ⅔ Cup AP flour
• ¼ teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon Pumpkin pie spice
• ¼ teaspoon Cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celsius and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, setting the stage for some delicious baking!

Cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a bowl until smooth. Just like with the frosting, if the brown sugar is feeling a bit lumpy, give it a little sift to keep things silky!

Add the egg yolk, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract, then mix again until well combined.

Add in the flour, salt, baking powder, pumpkin spice, and cinnamon, then mix until the flour mixture disappears completely. 

Using a cookie scoop, portion out 8 to 10 evenly sized dough balls and place them on a baking sheet. Gently flatten each ball to about 1 inch in thickness. Don’t forget to sprinkle some spice on top for that extra kick! Bake for around 13 minutes, and let the delicious aroma fill your kitchen.

Let the cookies cool on the cooling rack for 20 minutes and allow them to reach room temperature before frosting; we don’t want the frosting to take a melt-down! 

Once they’re all cooled and ready, apply the frosting, and your delicious pumpkin scookies are all done! You can share them with your friends and family, or indulge in them yourself alongside a warm cup of coffee