February 2014
43
than one thing. But I think we have
to help parents understand that for
children to really achieve well, you
can’t overload them by keeping them
busy and focusing purely on excelling
in whatever they do. And if they do,
it’s at the cost of what? We have to give
parents that confidence to stop and
reflect about the experience for their
child.
In saying all of that, I am a parent
of five boys, and I wanted my boys to
be able to go to university, whether
they wanted to or not, to be honest!
I think education is important, so
I’m not suggesting that we shouldn’t
be ambitious for our children. It’s
not about filling children’s time or
excelling in everything they do; it’s
about just respecting that integrity of
childhood.
T:
Since you brought it up, I’d like to
talk about your role as a parent. Both
you and your husband have had to
juggle a demanding career and trying
to raise well-adjusted kids. So, how
has parenting your kids affected your
career?
B:
I was fortunate in that I lived quite
close to my parents, who were both
retired and happy to support me.
What’s helped me most over the years
is that I have an acute awareness of
what it feels like to be a parent. So if I
have a school principal complaining
that a parent doesn’t engage with the
school or turn up at things during
the day, I understand why they can’t
because I wasn’t doing that! You do
need to balance and make sure your
children are getting enough of your
time and attention, along with the
demands of your career. My children
haven’t even noticed that I’ve left the
country, (laughs) which, on the one
hand, is quite hurtful, but, on the
other hand, means that they’ve grown
up to be independent and resilient, to
lead very full lives, and therefore we
enjoy our time together.
When I was a teacher and then
a principal and had very young
children, I enjoyed the time I spent
with them and made that quality time.
And the times that I was working, they
were with their grandparents, who
also gave them quality time. It’s not
always about being with them all the
time, but it is about making sure that
you are spending good, quality time
with them.
T:
And were there things about
your parenting that changed your
perspective as an educator?
B:
Yes, I’m aware of the pressures –
particularly on working mothers. It’s
perspective – I didn’t ever see things
as someone without children. I do
believe, even in my new role, that
some of the issues we’re facing, I can
see the parents’ perspectives because
I’ve been there myself as a working
parent and I can understand the
pressures, or the aspirations, or the
concerns that they might have.
T:
Back to a few academic questions:
You’ve said that Mandarin learning is
a priority. What can we expect to see
in the coming years?
B:
I think that it’s looking at not
just the amount of time we spend
on Mandarin, but looking at how
we ensure good progression. In
primary schools, it has been an area
of priority and children have had
increased time. So the challenge
for us is, ‘What’s the progression to
secondary, and how do we ensure that
children are making good progress,
continue to be interested and want to
continue studying Mandarin into the
future?’ It is something that we are
looking at, sharing what’s working
well in different schools and looking
at different approaches. I think
we should be embracing Chinese
language and culture; it should be
an integral part of what we do in our
schools.
T:
Is there anything else you were
hoping we’d discuss today?
B:
For me, what I would want to be
known for, and for ESF to be known
for, is being child-focused – that it’s
child first. I want ESF to be known
as an organisation that cares about
children, and cares beyond just the
children who come into our schools
– that we have a responsibility to the
wider Hong Kong education system.
As well as that, there are exciting
things ahead for us: embracing the
changes in education, because it’s
going to come fast and furious. I think
for the changes that we’re going to see,
in terms of how children learn and
even what they’re learning, I would
like us to be ahead of the curve and
leading the way for Asia.
T:
Thanks so much for taking the
time to chat. We’re all wishing you
great success in your new position
and look forward to hearing more
about the upcoming changes and
initiatives.
