Hong Kong Education Awards 2021: The results are in

The Harbour School, Mount Kelly and Hong Kong Academy have emerged as the big winners of the inaugural Hong Kong Education Awards, taking out a handful of top gongs amid a competitive field of world-class education institutions. 

In a year that saw education challenged like never before, the Hong Kong Education Awards recognises this critical industry and the people who are driving real change. 

The results were decided after a week of intensive judging by an independent panel of education experts, academics and consultants. The Readers Choice element generated 4,779 votes over the polling period.

Read more: Meet the judges of the 2021 Hong Kong Education Awards

So, to the results.

A big winner this year, The Harbour School scooped up three awards, including Hong Kong International School of the Year, Best School – Humanities & Social Sciences, plus Best Technology Program.

The three awards cap a period of exciting change for The Harbour School which has seen inclusiveness, innovation and creativity placed at the core of its education philosophy. 

Jadis Blurton, Head of School at The Harbour School, said the awards were recognition of its vision and its approach to education.

“We are very honored,” she said. 

“It’s a really great thing to have this support for our vision for education and that there are people around us who believe in this vision.”

Blurton added that education was going through a period of extreme change and that The Harbour School was at the forefront of this change. 

“We really are living through a period of extreme change in the field of education and we believe that we’re at the forefront of that,” she said. 

“For us the entire journey has been a great adventure, it’s been really exciting.”

Another to emerge in the inaugural awards was Mount Kelly School Hong Kong, which picked up a huge five awards.

In the Teacher of the Year category, Sophie Jackson emerged as the clear favourite to win the inaugural award. Jackson joined Mount Kelly in 2017 and has gone on to earn the respect of her colleagues and in particular her students, who all sung high praise. 

“My classroom is a happy and safe space where all students can express their individuality and celebrate each other’s success,” Jackson said in her submission. 

“Fostering an inclusive and open atmosphere, where all children are respectful and supportive, is key to the personal and academic growth of the class.”

Alongside the Teacher of the Year Award, Mount Kelly principal Hanady Fawzy won Principal of the Year – Kindergarten, while Principal Rain Jones scooped up the award for Principal of the Year – Secondary.

Rain Jones, Head of Schools and Governor at Mount Kelly, said to have received a record number of nominations and awards was truly inspiring. 

“We are very proud of all the nominees and it is a joy to see so many of our staff being recognised for their dedication and outstanding practice,” she said.

“The awards we have received reflect the core strength of the school, which is our teachers. To be recognised by a third party is an outstanding achievement of which we are very proud and grateful for.”

Other principals to emerge victorious in this year’s award included Dr Robin Lister from Malvern College Hong Kong, who won Principal of the Year – All-through, while Mina Dunstan from ESF Quarry Bay School took out Principal of the Year – Primary. 

In the category of Most Socially Responsible School, Hong Kong Adventist Academy took honors while Primary School of the Year went to the Japanese International School in Tai Po.

Harrow International School Hong Kong was a clear winner in the Boarding School of the Year, in addition to winning Secondary School of the Year in the Reader’s Choice Award.

HKA scoops up Reader’s Choice 

Another big winner was Hong Kong Academy, which took home a total of four awards, including Hong Kong International School of the Year (Reader’s Choice).

The school was particularly popular with readers, scooping up All-Through School of the Year and Most Socially Responsible School in the Reader’s Choice categories.

It also won the judges’ approval for Best School Strategic Plan.

Stephen Dare, Head of School at Hong Kong Academy, said he was thrilled to accept this recognition on behalf of HKA. 

“These awards are a testament to our strength as a community and are a source of pride as we wrap up our 20th anniversary year,” he said.

Readers Choice

Reader’s Choice Categories

• Best After School Program: Curiosity Kids
• Special Education School of the Year: autismilee ltd
• Best Language Center: Mulberry House Academy
• Best Student-Centered School: The International Montessori School
• Kindergarten of the Year: The International Montessori School
• Primary School of the Year: Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong
• Secondary School of the Year: Harrow International School Hong Kong
• All-Through School of the Year: Hong Kong Academy
• Most Socially Responsible School: Hong Kong Academy
• Hong Kong International School of the Year: Hong Kong Academy

Judges Categories

• All-Through School of the Year: French International School of Hong Kong
• Best After School Program: Wycombe Abbey School Hong Kong
• Best Language Center: Mini Mandarins (HK) Limited
• Best School – Arts: Faust International Youth Theatre
• Best School – Humanities and Social Sciences: The Harbour School
• Best School – Physical Education: Mount Kelly School Hong Kong
• Best School – STEM: Stamford American School Hong Kong
• Best School Strategic Plan: Hong Kong Academy
• Best Student-Centered School: Hong Kong International School
• Best Technology Program: The Harbour School
• Best Tutoring Center: ITS Education Asia
• Boarding School of the Year: Harrow International School Hong Kong
• Education Consultancy of the Year: Ampla Education
• Kindergarten of the Year: Small World Christian Kindergarten
• Most Socially Responsible School: Hong Kong Adventist Academy
• Primary School of the Year: Japanese International School
• Principal of the Year – All-through: Dr Robin Lister (Malvern College Hong Kong)
• Principal of the Year – Kindergarten: Ms Hanady Fawzy (Mount Kelly International Preschool)
• Principal of the Year – Primary: Ms. Mina Dunstan (ESF Quarry Bay School)
• Principal of the Year – Secondary: Ms. Rain Jones (Mount Kelly School Hong Kong)
• Secondary School of the Year: ESF Island School
• Special Education School of the Year: Kids Connect
• Support Staff of the Year: Ms. Karen Chiu (Mount Kelly School Hong Kong)
• Teacher of the Year: Ms. Sophie Jackson (Mount Kelly School Hong Kong)
• Hong Kong International School of the Year: The Harbour School