St. Catherine's International Kindergarten Review | Kowloon Tong

School Overview

St. Catherine's International Kindergarten is located on Norfolk Road in Kowloon Tong, founded in 1970. With a capacity of 1,456 students, it is Hong Kong's largest kindergarten.

Basic Information

| Item | Information |

|------|-------------|

| Address | 4 & 6 Norfolk Road, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon |

| Phone | 2337 7344 |

| Founded | 1970 |

| School Type | Private Independent |

| Gender | Co-educational |

| Supervisor | Ms. Tina Chan Yue Lan |

| Principal | Mrs. Christina Chan Lau Shok Yue |

| Website | www.stcatherines.edu.hk |

School Size

• Classrooms: 36
• Student Capacity: 1,456 (Hong Kong's largest)
• Staff: 97
• Teacher-Student Ratio: Approx. 1:7.4 (better than average)

Why Choose This School? ⭐

1. Largest Scale in Hong Kong

With 1,456 student capacity, 36 classrooms, and 97 staff members, the school offers rich resources and diverse activities.

2. Excellent Teacher-Student Ratio

At approximately 1:7.4, this is much better than the typical 1:10-12, meaning each child receives more attention.

3. Highly Qualified Teachers

83 teachers (86%) hold degrees, ensuring high professional quality in the teaching team.

4. Trilingual Education

Chinese, English, and Putonghua school-based curriculum, building a strong language foundation.

5. Prestigious Kowloon Tong Location

Located in the traditional prestigious school district of Kowloon Tong, with rich primary school options and strong educational atmosphere.

Educational Philosophy & Curriculum

Mission Statement

"Being child-oriented, we provide a healthy and happy environment for children to grow. We emphasize children's holistic, balanced development, which includes cognitive and language development, affective and social development, physical and aesthetic development, so as to lay a solid foundation for their primary school education and life-long learning."

Curriculum Features

• Curriculum Type: Local
• Language: Bilingual Chinese-English, Putonghua
• Teaching Approach: Thematic and Project Approach

The school integrates the merits of Chinese and Western cultures and education, designing child-centered school-based curriculum according to children's developmental needs, interests, and abilities.

Teaching Methods

Through thematic teaching and project approach, children develop various learning abilities:

• Integrated teaching and story-approach
• Diversified learning activities and outings
• Development of communication, collaboration, thinking and problem-solving skills
• Character cultivation

Assessment

• Continuous observation and recording
• Guidance according to individual differences
• Personal development portfolios to track learning progress

Fees

Tuition

As a private school, not participating in Free Kindergarten Scheme:

• Fees: Please refer to school fee certificate
• Application Fee: HK$40
• Registration Fee: HK$970

Facilities & Environment

Campus Facilities

• 🎮 Outdoor Playground
• 🏠 Indoor Playground
• 🎵 Music Room
• 🏛️ Other Specialised Facilities

Teaching Staff

• Total Staff: 97
• Degree Holders: 83 (86%)
• Teacher-Student Ratio: Approx. 1:7.4

Admission Information

Application Period

Generally accepts applications in September-October. Check school website for announcements.

Application Process

1. September: Watch for admission announcements
2. October: Submit application form and documents
3. November-December: Interview
4. January-February: Results announced

Student Support

The school provides support at different stages:

• New students: Orientation with parental accompaniment
• Lower & Upper classes: Primary school transition programmes, visits, P1 simulation
• Parents: "P1 Admission Mechanism Talks" and sharing sessions

Interview Tips

Based on the school's philosophy, interviews may focus on:

• Language abilities (bilingual)
• Social and group interaction
• Learning interest and curiosity
• Parent-child interaction

Nearby Amenities

Transport

• MTR: Kowloon Tong Station Exit C, about 10-minute walk
• Bus: Multiple routes along Waterloo Road, Junction Road
• Minibus: Multiple routes available

Community

Kowloon Tong is Hong Kong's traditional prestigious school district:

• Beautiful, quiet environment
• Low-density residential area
• Numerous prestigious schools, strong educational atmosphere
• Festival Walk shopping centre

Primary School Pathways

Multiple famous primary schools in Kowloon Tong:

• La Salle Primary School
• Maryknoll Convent School (Primary Section)
• Kowloon Tong School (Primary Section)
• Various DSS and private primary schools

Special Support

SEN Support

• On-site pre-school rehabilitation services
• Counselling and follow-up for children with special needs

Parent Activities

The school values home-school cooperation:

• Parents' Day
• Parent-child outings
• Parenting talks
• Parent volunteer teams
• Parental participation in activities (storytelling, career introduction)
• Community charity events

Suitable for Which Families?

✅ Recommended for:

• Families valuing trilingual education
• Families wanting children to experience diverse activities in a large school
• Families working/living in Kowloon Tong/Kowloon
• Families able to afford private school fees
• Families planning primary school admission in the district

⚠️ May need to consider:

• Budget-conscious families seeking Free Scheme schools
• Families preferring small class teaching and intimate school atmosphere
• Families living on HK Island or NT with inconvenient commute

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Information for reference only. Please contact the school directly for the latest information.