TNAG-2598-FCO40-3786-Appointment-of-Chris-Patten-as-new-Governor-of-Hong-Kong--Ap-1992 — Page 122

Careful work.

Hard work.

Creative work.

Technological and Aesthetic Subjects Music, Art, Drama, Home Economics (Food and Textiles), Craft Design and Technology, as well as Information Technology, are all compulsory at some stage during the first three years at Island School. Along with Photography, Computer Studies, Office Technology and Communication, these subjects form popular options in the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth forms. They are important subjects because they crucially underpin our technological culture and provide students with a basis for appreciating and understanding it. The need to be creative in more traditional forms seems to grow as fast as our technology and both areas hold important and popular places in the school's curriculum.

Physical Education

In a city like Hong Kong with most students living in high rise apartments, the need for Physical Education is considerable. The school makes maximum use of its facilities and there is a growing awareness of Health Related Fitness, exercise and good eating habits for all children. The PE department continues to promote excellence in the more traditional competitive games, and the school is a frequent winner of the Omega Rose Bowl, the trophy presented to the winning co-educational school in Hong Kong inter-school sporting competitions. Island School has also had a representative at every Olympic Games since 1972 with the exception of Moscow which was boycotted by Hong Kong.

The Hidden Curriculum

Educators have for many years recognised what they like to call the hidden curriculum. For over 2,000 lessons a week the students of Island School are taught and learn from the formal curriculum, be it academic or pastoral, but all students at all schools learn much more than that; from the way they are spoken to or dealt with by teachers and by their colleagues; from what they learn on playgrounds at lunch or during break; from what they learn from going to and from school; all these things contribute to the makeup of the whole child.