Carmel School of Hong Kong officially announced details with respect to their plan to provide a “through train” of education. They will now begin the process of the extension of their current programming to include education through Grade Eight.

In order for this to be accomplished, the school hired Mrs. Rachel Friedmann as the new High School Principal. The initial plan also required a new premise to allow for the expansion in light of the growing student population in the lower grades.

The school board recently announced that they are at an advanced stage of discussion with the Hong Kong government for the premises grant for the high school. It is expected that these talks will be finalised over the next few weeks.

The school will be located in the eastern side of Hong Kong Island in an existing school premises. The current grade 5-8 children will move to the new location for the start of the school year. The current Grade 8 students will be the inaugural Grade 9 class.

Carmel has also announced that they will share this property with Kellett School and they cited a number of similarities between the two schools that will make this a good collaboration. Kellett, like Carmel, is a smaller school with similar shared values and core education principles.

Both schools are ready to begin a massive renovation project, as soon as the green light is given by the government. The renovation will result in the establishment of a state-of-the- art facility complete with science labs, two art rooms, a design & technology room, a music room, a spacious auditorium with gymnasium and drama facilities, an IT lab and an outdoor games area.

Ms. Friedmann has very high standards set for the new high school including a full IB programme ensuring that Carmel high school graduates will have ever opportunity available to them upon graduation. Additionally, she stresses that as a small school Carmel will be able to provide an entirely personalised education plan for each child while encouraging them to reach their full potential.

_{(Issue March 2009)}