A Magazine for the Women of Hong Kong • Dec 2016 / Jan 2017 the EXPERTS in INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE OPENING SEPTEMBER 2017
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A Magazine for the Women of Hong Kong • Dec 2016 / Jan 2017 THE EXPERTS IN INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE OPENING SEPTEMBER 2017 DAILY OR BILINGUAL STANDARDIZED ACADEMIC STEMinn CHINESE MAP® TESTING PROGRAM OPEN HOUSE | DECEMBER 8-9, 2016 & JANUARY 18-19, 2017 We are pleased to launch a new campus in Hong Kong, September 2017, following our huge success at Stamford American International School in Singapore, which today has over 3,000 students from 70 nationalities. We offer a rigorous standards-based curriculum for students from 5 to 18 years, graduating students with the International Baccalaureate Diploma* to 1st tier universities worldwide. Contact Us [email protected] +852 2500 8688 www.sais.hk *Stamford American School Hong Kong will apply to the International Baccalaureate for program candidacy in December 2017. PUTTING YOUR CHILD 1ST ACHIEVING MORE THAN THEY BELIEVE THEY CAN CAMPUS OPENING SEPTEMBER 2017! For students 5 to 18 years old Individualized Learning Plans from Age 5 with its own library with over 1,000 reading programs, including leveled reading programs in Science and Engineering, giving our students access to a wealth of books and resources at their fingertips. Stamford’s Outstanding Results Our students at our Singapore campus consistently achieve above the U.S. benchmark in their MAP® assessments. In Elementary, our students’ scores in Reading and Math are greater than the benchmark by one year on average. Progressing to Secondary, Stamford students perform above the benchmark in Math and Reading by two Every student at Stamford undergoes standardized or more years on average. In fact, the average Stamford Measures of Academic Progress® (MAP®) assessments Grade 6 student performs above the benchmark for Grade in Reading, Math and Science twice a year, allowing 10 students in Reading, four grade levels above the norm. us to measure their academic growth throughout These outstanding MAP® results combined with the the school year and from year to year. We deliver International Baccalaureate Diploma Program have led individualized learning plans based on each student’s 90% of our graduates from Stamford’s Singapore campus to instructional level, ensuring every child is stretched and acceptance to their 1st choice university. challenged appropriately. Leveled Reading Program – 1 in Every Classroom Mastering reading skills from a young age is not only crucial for reaching key milestones in language and communication, but linked to higher overall academic performance. All Stamford students undergo regular in- class reading assessments through the Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System (BAS), allowing us to deliver individualized reading programs based on each child’s reading level. Every classroom is also equipped Discover more at Open House on December 8-9, 2016 & January 18-19, 2017 www.sais.hk | +852 2500 8688 *Stamford American School Hong Kong will apply to the International Baccalaureate for program candidacy in December 2017. DECEMBER 2016 / JANUARY 2017 The American Women’s Association of Hong Kong, Limited. Established in 1956 A volunteer organization of women of all nationalities supporting Hong Kong charities and schools through community service and monetary grants, while providing educational and social activities for members. AWARE PRODUCTION TEAM EDITOR 12 Brooke Richter [email protected] CONTRIBUTORS Dimple Shaw Marcy Laront Claudia Doherty Contents Rachel Parker Susie Edrington Membership 3 Frances Nicholls Augusta Nichols-Even AWA Enjoys 5 Ella van Westendorp Finding Happiness in Serving Others 6 GRAPHICS Jacky Ngan The Year of “Yes” 7 Fahima Ahmad 20 AWA Golf Society, Inspiring New Players 8 My Journey with Mandarin, Part 3 9 ADVERTISING MANAGER [email protected] Meet Annie, AWA Treasurer 10 AWA Treasury 11 Book Attic, Book bindery and restoration 12 PUBLISHED & PRINTED BY Spotlight on Volunteering 13 R&R Publishing Ltd. Women for Women Superstar Spotlight 16 2126 7812 [email protected] The Importance of Setting Goals 18 www.rrpublishing.com.hk On the Page, Book Review 19 Exploring Buddhism 20 22 Calendar of Events 22 The AWA office is open from Monday-Thursday 9:30am-3:30pm. We are closed on Hong Kong public holidays. VISIT THE AWA WEBSITE: www.awa.org.hk LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/awahk FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @AWA_HK FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @AWA_HK Any opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author only and do not represent the opinion of the American Women’s Association. Any reliance by the reader upon any recommendation or opinion in this publication is at the reader’s own risk. The AWA accepts no responsibility for any loss which may result from such reliance. Copyright 2014. The content of the Aware publication is the property of the American Women's Association. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is strictly prohibited. Information from within the publication may not be distributed without the express written consent of the American Women's Association. WELCOME From the President Happy Holidays everyone! I hope that those of us who celebrated American Thanksgiving (or Canadian in October) were able to enjoy a traditional turkey dinner with all of the trimmings and share some special time with those that have become our family here in Hong Kong. I love having Thanksgiving as a reminder to stop and be grateful. This time of year brings the plight of those who suffer into sharper focus. When going through life changes or From the Editor experiencing loss, the holidays can intensify feelings of sadness. One `Tis the season to be jolly as we approach December and easy way to give back in our January celebrations. We are a diverse group that community is by being aware of the people who are close to us, celebrates these holidays in many different ways. especially if they have had a rough Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, or none of the above, and patch recently. Invite them to coffee whether you’re Chinese or simply domiciled in this part of or to OWL, or make a date to see China, December and January promise to be active some of the beautiful holiday decorations at Pacific Place or months. In this combined December/January issue, we IFC mall. And if you find yourself struggling, know that you are want to highlight the power of helping others so aptly not alone and you don’t need to go it alone. Please visit info@ described by our head of Charitable Donations, Gabriela planbhongkong.com for counseling resources and tools to Caraman-Heijnen, in our feature “Finding help one in crisis. Happiness in Serving Others” as well as by our head of Fundraising, Augusta It is time once again for the Red Cross Cookie Drive. This is a Nichols-Even, in her passionate plea for big deal for the Red Cross each year and the hundreds of sick children to whom they bring Christmas cookie joy. WE NEED A our members to “Just Say `Yes’” to the LOT OF COOKIES!! You do not have to be an expert baker to many and varied AWA offerings. We are be part of this great event. Please contact Susie Edrington at very fortunate to be living the life we lead [email protected] for more information. Our Make a here in Hong Kong and can make the Difference (MAD) letter will have just gone out by the time you experience so much richer by giving more receive this issue. We’ve had a fabulous start to our of ourselves. At year’s end, it’s a fitting fundraising year with the AWA 60th Anniversary Gala, followed time to review our finances. Treasurer by the Mahjong Fundraiser on November 11th - thank you Beth Annie Fifer takes us through where the Hall. But we still have a long way to go to reach our annual money comes from and where it goes and gives us a goal of HK$1m. Thus, we appreciate any and every window to the person behind the numbers in our Meet contribution. And if you know of a company that might be the Board series. We’ll also meet entrepreneur Lori interested in partnering with us to sponsor one of this year’s charitable grants (many of which range from $15k-50k), please Granito and gain some flavor into what it takes to launch a let me know. successful restaurant and related businesses in Hong Kong. Rounding out this issue, Rachel Parker shares with I hope you and your spouse will make the AWA holiday us some insights into Buddhism and the ways in which it gathering on Tuesday December 6th at Oolaa. We have a larger may compliment other belief systems and practices. And space this year, so please come and join the fun – drinks, last but not least, be sure to check out the 22 activities on appetizers and a few lucky draw prizes, including an amazing offer in the next two months. From walking tours with tea for two at the Ritz Carlton. And as many of you start to Jason Wordie to cooking, partying and trimming your head out for home visits or other holiday travel, I wish you wardrobe, our local activities coordinators have out-done safety and love and blessings through 2017. themselves with an enticing and active calendar. Until February, safe travels to those in transit and I wish you/ yours the very best holiday season. Marcy LaRont AWA President Brooke K. Richter AWAre Editor 2 AWARE December 2016 / January 2017 MEMBERSHIP The AWA (American Women’s Association) is a dynamic community of women of all nationalities, with over 650 members from 36 countries. We are sure you will find your niche through our diverse range of activities, events and opportunities to volunteer. All women are welcome – do join us! Current members – you are our best ambassadors.