Message from the Head of Secondary, Term 4, Week 4 2025

Positive relationships are the heart of our school community, and AISHK strives for a safe, supportive and inclusive school environment for all. There is a special magic created when students connect positively and purposefully, like in this week’s Battle of the Bands and interhouse touch football competition. As educators, we aim to help students develop the interpersonal and social-emotional skills to navigate peer relationships and social dynamics with empathy, resilience and respect for others. As our PROSPER norms outline, fostering a happy, resilient and courageous school community is central to everything we do.

As children grow up, we recognise that relationships change and there will be disagreements, misunderstandings and social conflicts. As adolescents develop different interests and identities, friendship groups inevitably change, and this can be very challenging for our young people. Working supportively with students and families through social conflict offers the opportunity for reflection, growth and building resilience.

Unfortunately, bullying can also arise in any community, and AISHK has a range of responses and interventions to address this complex social issue. Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, one of Australia’s leading adolescent psychologists, defines bullying as, “an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social or psychological harm.” Increasingly, cyberbullying is also a major problem among young people and involves the use of social media and digital platforms to harm others.

AISHK has zero tolerance for bullying. While sometimes students may need guidance about the difference between bullying and social conflict, cases of repeated and intentional bullying have no place in our school community. If you have any concerns about your child’s peer relationships or wellbeing at school, it is essential that you communicate with us and share your child’s experiences. We will investigate and respond to all reports of bullying with utmost care and sensitivity and prioritise support for the wellbeing of all students.

While disciplinary measures are part of responding to bullying behaviour, a key pillar of our school’s approach is also restorative action, which aims to let all students hear and understand each other’s perspective in a safe and supportive space. Guided by teachers, a restorative conversation aims to reset relationships through open dialogue and foster empathy, accountability and understanding. While the outcome may not always be restored friendship or absolute forgiveness, restorative actions promote respectful relationships as the key to a positive and cohesive school community.

The harmful effects of bullying are well documented and the experience can be devastating and demoralising for young people. As a school community, we must be united and unwavering in our work to promote healthy and respectful relationships and ensure a safe, supportive and inclusive school environment for all. The AISHK leadership team is fully committed to continuous improvement of our anti-bullying education and responses. There is a host of informative resources available via our subscription to School TV Bullying | Australian International School Hong Kong that I would encourage families to access.

On a very different note, congratulations to our Year 12 HSC students who had their last public exam today. They can now enjoy the well-deserved sleep-ins and study-free days that come with finishing high school. Our IBDP students still have a week of exams to go, and they have our full support as they enter the final furlong of their educational journey.

Wishing all secondary families a fun and fabulous weekend.