ESF’s Hong Kong students excel in academics, technology and social causes: spotlight on star students Ava Chan, Cyrus Ng and Nicole Shah

When notable achievements and successes from schools come to mind – particularly at the end of an academic year and with the release of exam results – academics often form the focal point of conversations. Such a focus is understandable, with three Hong Kong schools among the top 10 International Baccalaureate schools in the world. But while academic successes are evident across the city, they are by no means the only cause for celebration.

From pursuing sporting accolades, to harnessing the transformative power of technology for social causes or the expressive arts, students across Hong Kong have demonstrated that their hunger for learning stretches far beyond the classroom.

Expanding their passion for mathematics, Year 11 and Year 12 students from the English Schools Foundation’s (ESF) Renaissance College took part in the World Mathematics Championships (WMC) in Manila, working their way through complex problems thanks to strong teamwork and outside-the-box thinking. Seven students particularly excelled and were invited to compete in last month’s WMC finals in London. The prestigious competition saw students from 15 schools and nine countries go head to head.

Outside these extracurricular academic successes, schools in Hong Kong celebrated a wealth of sporting achievements this academic year. At the Harbour School, the Under 14 boys team came first in the International Schools’ Sports Federation of Hong Kong’s Climbing League after successful climbs at Project Climb & Boulder in Kowloon Bay in March. The team effort was compounded by individual awards for students Alex Siu and Jack Smith, who placed second and third overall respectively.

In addition to these achievements at home, 13-year-old Nicole Shah and her sister, 11-year-old Nala Shah, brought the Harbour School success overseas. The Shah sisters travelled to the Netherlands to compete in the 51st Easter Wrestling Tournament at the end of March. The global contest saw over 700 competitors take part. Nicole won the silver medal, while Nala finished fourth.

At Canadian International School Hong Kong (CDNIS), Pippa Chen – who will enter Grade 11 after the summer – led her team and captained the CDNIS Timberwolves varsity netball team at the Lions Netball Tournament in Singapore in early March. The intense two-day competition consisted of 123 games, with 25 teams from around the region taking part. Chen’s commitment to the sport has not only earned her a place in the Hong Kong national Under 15 team, but also the city’s Under 21 team – evidence of talent and dedication well above her age group.