Dear Parents,
Another month has flown by, and we’ve somehow arrived at the last edition of the SCMP Learn Parents Newsletter for 2025! In this issue, we’re bringing you the key stories in education and parenting that caught our eye this month, so you can stay in the know without getting overwhelmed by the headlines.
And with the holidays just around the corner, we know keeping kids entertained can be a full-time job. That’s why we’ve also put together a collection of fun activities and opportunities to spark curiosity and keep young minds busy. Keep reading for more!
Education and health experts have urged Hong Kong authorities to examine the impact of social media on the city’s teenagers and explore ways to tighten control over their internet use. Their comments came after Australia became the first country to ban social media for children under 16 earlier this month, though education experts note difficulties in enforcement and urge further local research before formulating the city’s own policies.
Here’s what experts say about the prospect of a social media ban in Hong Kong.
Read more
Hong Kong authorities will offer HK$500,000 (US$64,200) to each public school that applies for funding to introduce AI into classrooms over the next three years. Schools receiving the funding can subscribe to AI-powered software and hardware and must implement AI-assisted teaching in at least three subjects.
Learn all about the Education Bureau’s latest initiative.
Read more
The Education Bureau has outlined the important dates and steps for applying for Secondary 1 discretionary places in the 2026/27 academic year. Parents seeking admission to government, aided, caput and Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) secondary schools participating in the Secondary School Places Allocation (SSPA) System must submit their applications between January 2 to January 16, 2026.
Full application details can be found below.
Read more
Hong Kong educators have called for the government to allow non-local admissions in publicly funded institutions amid a decline in Form One classes. Hong Kong secondary schools have 15 fewer Form One classes this academic year, prompting warnings of school closures from education leaders.
Unpack the full story with SCMP.
Read more
Running out of time — and options — to give your child that magical Santa moment? Santa’s Adventure Cruise by aqualuna offers a delightfully unexpected alternative to the typical shopping mall meet and greet. This intimate 60-minute cruise transforms a quintessential Christmas experience into a storybook adventure at sea, where children are welcomed into Santa’s cabin, serenaded with festive songs and invited to share their wish lists in person. Between candy-cane spotting, Christmas crafts, cookies and hot chocolate, and a keepsake photo with Santa himself, the cruise delivers pure holiday magic!
Cruises are running up until and including Christmas day.
Learn more
Got a budding young artist on your hands? The Wharf Hong Kong Secondary School Art Competition is calling all creatives to showcase their talent. Open to secondary school students, this annual event has the backing of the Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA), and offers youngsters a platform to explore artistic expression, gain recognition and bring fresh perspectives to the local art scene. This year, the competition will accept entries of Digital Graphics, in addition to Paintings, giving students a wider range of platforms to showcase their skillset and creativity.
Submissions close on February 9, 2026.
Learn more
Introduce your little one to the magic of theatre at KidsFest! The beloved family festival returns for three weeks of world-class performances in January, with shows based on your child’s favourite storybooks, including “Gruffalo’s Child” and “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”. KidsFest blends imaginative storytelling, striking visuals, music and movement to create truly engaging live theatre experiences. Thoughtfully designed for young minds, it’s a celebration of imagination and creativity, offering families a chance to connect, be inspired
and discover the joy of theatre together.
Learn more
Parents’ Talk: Principal’s Vision & Action Series
We recently had the pleasure of launching the very first installment of our SCMP Parents’ Talk: Principal’s Vision & Action Series, presented by HSBC Premier Principals Connect.
Designed to give parents a rare glimpse into the vision, values and leadership philosophies of the principals at the helm of Hong Kong’s top schools, the session offered valuable insights into the evolving landscape of education in Hong Kong, along with new perspectives on how principals shape school culture and the learning environment.
We were delighted to welcome Ms. Dodie V Sarchet-Waller, Principal of Po Leung Kuk Choi Kai Yau School, and Dr. Oliver Kramer, Head of School at The ISF Academy, whose insights sparked engaging discussions and inspired meaningful reflections for all parents in attendance. Our conversation examined the foundations of their educational leadership — what informs their thinking and how their vision is brought to life in daily school practice. They also shared their views on how schooling will evolve in the years ahead, reminding us that while innovation and change are constant, true transformation in education takes time and careful stewardship.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to announce that more events in this series will be taking place in 2026. Stay tuned for more!
That’s it for this month! On behalf of everyone here at SCMP Learn, we wish you a joyful holiday season and a happy new year ahead. Stay curious, stay informed and we’ll see you next month with more handpicked stories, opportunities and insights for you and your child.
In the meantime, make sure you're following us on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content.
Warm regards,
SCMP Learn Team
