What We Stand For

Our vision is for every child to be the best that they can be

…enabling them to be safe, happy, kind, learning & engaged.

Who We Are

ESF Glenealy School is an inclusive, progressive and internationally-minded primary school where children are empowered to flourish and make a positive difference.

Our nurturing staff, inspiring learning environment and close community foster positive relationships and wellbeing, putting children at the centre of everything we do.

We work in partnership to create relevant and meaningful learning experiences where children develop their understanding, knowledge, skills and attributes for success.

Our Core Purpose

Our core purpose is to ensure a holistic approach to education that focuses on developing each child as a whole person.

Self Photos / Files - HKLE25

The themes outlined in our core purpose are central to our work and describe the attributes we strive to develop in every child during their time at our school. We recognise that learning is not solely about acquiring knowledge and skills, but also about developing personal values and qualities essential for success.

Our Core Purpose is further articulated through the contribution of the IB Learner Profile, which describes the broad range of human capacities and responsibilities beyond academic success.

Inquirers

We nurture our curiosity, developing our skills for inquiry and research. We know how to learn independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning throughout our lives.

Knowledgeable

We develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across various disciplines. We engage with issues and ideas that have local and global significance.

Thinkers

We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyse and take responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions.

Communicators

We express ourselves confidently and creatively in more than one language and in many ways. We collaborate effectively, listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups.

Principled

We act with integrity and honesty, a strong sense of fairness and justice, and respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences.

Open-minded

We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience.

Caring

We show empathy, compassion and respect. We commit to service, and we act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world around us.

Courageous

We approach uncertainty with forethought and determination; we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and innovative strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change.

Balanced

We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives—intellectual, physical, and emotional to achieve well-being for ourselves and others. We recognise our interdependence with other people and the world we live in.

Reflective

We thoughtfully consider the world and our ideas and experiences. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses to support our learning and personal development.

Safeguarding and Child Protection

ESF upholds every child’s right to learn and live in conditions that protect them from harm.

At ESF we prioritise Safeguarding and Child Protection. Through our actions, we promote the optimum development of our students' intellectual, physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. Wherever possible, we aim to prevent harm through our safeguarding actions, and if harm has occurred, we respond through our child protection procedures.

All ESF staff are trained in preventative and protective measures, with each school having at least two dedicated Child Protection Officers on site to lead on this critical aspect of student life.

Our policy and procedures are based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Hong Kong law, and additional guidance from international sources such as Keeping Children Safe, and the International Task Force on Child Protection.

Our policy is built on four core tenets:

We respond: All our actions are proactive and responsive, guided by strong policy to ensure we do all we can to safeguard and protect our students.
We support: We work in hope, towards a future without child maltreatment, in close collaboration with our students and their families. We understand the specific context they live in, and support them in a culturally sensitive manner.
We connect: We engage and partner with local and international support services, with our communities, and with each other through the ESF Child Protection Officers Network.
We develop: The field of Child Protection is always in motion; we constantly strive to improve our approach. We refine and review our actions, with the aim to constantly better ourselves.

ESF Glenealy School - Child Protection Officers

Jennine Harding, Vice Principal (jharding@glenealy.edu.hk)

David Benzie, Wellbeing Leader (dbenzie@glenealy.edu.hk)
Rachel Lavery, Curriculum Leader (laverr1@glenealy.edu.hk)

By enrolling their children at ESF, parents agree to work in partnership with us and abide by the ESF Safeguarding and Child Protection policy and procedures.

Download ESF Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the centre of who we are at ESF.

We are a community of over 18,000 students and staff from more than 70 nationalities and cultures, with a history stretching back over 50 years. We recognise the importance of creating an environment where everyone is treated equally, with dignity and respect, and appreciated for who they are.

This is integral to our vision, mission and values as a leading international school organisation, committed to developing and inspiring every student to be the best that they can be.

Each school within ESF holds a shared vision to create a welcoming learning and working environment, including online, where everyone is valued and supported so that each and every person in our community can thrive. We believe this is a key driver of our excellence and empowers our students and our staff to reach their fullest potential.

We are aware of our critical role in shaping the future generation of global citizens and are committed to constantly assessing and challenging our own diversity, equity and inclusion practices to ensure we are doing our very best for our students, staff, parents and the wider community.

Our commitments:

To provide students with an equal opportunity to access education and the support they require to enable them to flourish and truly be the best that they can be.
To embrace diversity and celebrate the uniqueness of each student through our personalised learning approach in all ESF kindergartens, primary, secondary and all-through schools.
To educate students and staff on the importance and impact of positive diversity, equity and inclusion policies, practices and behaviours through normalising speaking up, identifying learning opportunities, and holding regular training, awareness events and campaigns.
To promote equitable practices in all of our operations and be fair in the way we deal with all aspects of recruitment and employment.
Not to tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind, including online, against any student or member of staff such as in relation to gender, pregnancy, breastfeeding, adoption, marital status, age, family status, belief, race, disability or sexuality.
To constantly work on improving our focus and accountability in relation to diversity, equity and inclusion; to have personal responsibility and commitment to learning and growth in these areas; to provide regular training and professional development opportunities across all levels of the organisation; to be transparent about our efforts and our progress in reaching our goals; and to highlight and challenge our unconscious biases and be open to ideas for change and improvement.