Talking Heads: Martin Scott From Yew Chung International School

ABOUT MARTIN:

1. Do you have a nickname?

I don’t have a nickname, other than ‘Daddy’ from my children.

2. Where were you born and where did you grow up?

I was born in The Lake District in the county of Cumbria in the UK. The town I spent most of my childhood in was called Cockermouth and was the birthplace of one of Britain’s best known poets, William Wordsworth.

3. Where do you live in the city and why do you love it there?

I will be living in Sheung Shui out in The New Territories because I have two young children who love to run around and have loads of space. In the UK we lived on an old farm in the middle of the countryside and my girls wanted to replicate this, to the best of our abilities, here in Hong Kong.

4. What's in your lunchbox?

Probably everything that’s bad for you! You’d probably find a slice of pizza and a bag of crisps, but as a Co-Principal I hardly have time for lunch.

MARTIN’S BACKGROUND:

1. What or who inspired you to become a headmaster? 

My father was an educator, being a University lecturer, and his love for sharing his passion of physics with students was what inspired me to first become a teacher. I did, however, make the decision not to work with older students but to focus on primary children as this stage of education is, in my mind, the most important. If the foundations for learning and the skills to undertake independent learning are soundly established in primary school, then children will be well prepared for life-long learning. What is also fantastic about working with primary children is to be able to see their faces as they are suddenly able to do something for the first time or are able to apply their knowledge to solve a problem. As teachers I think we have one of the most privileged jobs in the world and one of the most rewarding.

2. Describe your school in 5 words or less!

Happy, experiential, caring, respectful, inspiring.

HIS FAVORITE THINGS:

1. What's your favorite thing on your desk and why?

My computer screen as it enables me to successfully manage the school and to follow the progress of each child.

2. What are your 3 favorite children's books?

Skellig by David Almond, War Horse by Michael Morpurgo, Swallows & Amazons by Arthur Ransome, Carrie’s War by Nina Bowden

HIS ADVICE:

1. What is the best way for parents to be involved in their children’s education?

Children spend most of their time with their parents who are their role models. Since having my own children I know that parents do know more about their own children than anyone else. Because of this unique parent-child relationship it is important that parents share information about their child with teachers as this enables teachers to have the complete picture of the child. As every child and every family is unique, teachers are unable to make generalizations about children hence the more parents share with teachers the better understanding we all have and more avenues to support a child can be investigated.

2. Any tips for parents when applying for schools?

It is important, when applying for schools, that you investigate the curriculum and the type of approach to learning the school takes. These must align with your own philosophy. In addition, you must consider what outcomes you want for your child. Do you want your child to experience a ‘National Curriculum’ in an international setting which would prepare the child for entry to a specific country’s education system or do you want a truly international curriculum which would prepare a child to be a global citizen?

3. What's the best advice a teacher or headmistress ever gave you?

Encourage children to reach for the stars as they all have a unique potential!