On Monday, 24 August 2026, YK Pao School Hong Kong marked a historic milestone as we officially opened our doors to our founding cohort of one hundred students.
Dressed in their newly tailored uniforms—pure white high-collared jackets paired with soft sage-green culottes or trousers—our pioneer students arrived at the Kowloon East temporary campus with confidence and bright anticipation. Adorning each backpack was a handcrafted pomelo charm inscribed with the student's name, symbolizing warmth, protection, and individuality.
Welcoming Ceremony: Where Heritage Meets Innovation
Our Welcoming Ceremony served as a poignant tribute to our cultural roots and a vibrant celebration of forward-looking innovation. We were deeply honored to welcome Founders Professor Anna Pao Sohmen and Mr. Philip Pao Sohmen, alongside Trustees and distinguished guests, who joined our founding community to unveil the school.
During the ceremony, two humanoid "extra students"—K1 robots—captivated the audience, seamlessly transitioning from Michael Jackson’s iconic "Billie Jean" dance to a spirited lion dance performance, beautifully harmonizing Chinese cultural heritage with global technological progress.
The ceremony reached an inspiring crescendo as Mr. Johnathan from the Drama & Music Department struck the dragon drum, accompanied by Founding Head of School Mrs. Cathy Braithwaite, Chinese teacher Ms. Jade, and PE teacher Mr. Cory, who together unveiled a ceremonial scroll bearing our founding vision: "Learning with Joy, Living with Purpose, Nurturing Leaders for Tomorrow." (乐学于今，明志于行，育才成林。)
Clangs of the Gong Resound: Heralding the Official Start of the School Term
Marking the official commencement, Founders Professor Anna Pao Sohmen and Mr. Philip Pao Sohmen struck the ceremonial gong and shared heartfelt words of encouragement, urging students to cherish their primary school years and remain grounded in gratitude.
The morning concluded with an iconic whole-school photo, permanently etching this historic inaugural day into the legacy of YK Pao School.
Orientation Day: Welcoming Our Founding Families
Prior to our opening ceremony, on Friday, 21 August, we hosted a warm and meaningful Founders' Family Orientation Day. Exactly ten months prior—on 24 October—YK Pao School held its very first information session in Hong Kong.
Journeying from zero to one hundred founding families, this remarkable milestone reflects the visionary leadership of our Founders, the dedicated guidance of the Foundation Trustees, the tireless dedication of our founding team, and the unwavering trust of our parent community.
As parents and students stepped onto campus for the first time, a sense of belonging quickly took shape. Founding families reconnected with school leadership and operations teams, while homeroom teachers welcomed students into bright learning spaces filled with soft green and yellow balloons. Across classrooms and hallways, children laughed, engaged in icebreaker activities, and formed new friendships, while parents established supportive community ties. The seamless harmony between our academic and operational teams created a warm, family-centered atmosphere—setting a confident, joyful foundation for our shared educational voyage ahead.
Applications for the New Academic Years Are Now Open: Join Us in Writing the Next Chapter
As the school gates open, the future unfolds. With the successful launch of the new academic year, our Admissions Team has officially initiated enrollment planning for upcoming years. We warmly welcome families who share our vision of holistic education to join the YK Pao School community.
The following applications for entry are now open:
2027–28 Academic Year: Regular application for Year 1
2027–28 Academic Year: Transfer applications for Year 2 - 4
2028–29 Academic Year: Early Decision (ED) for Year 1
To help parents gain a deeper understanding of our educational philosophy, curriculum, and campus culture, we cordially invite you to visit our Hong Kong campus for our upcoming Information Sessions and Campus Tours:
11 September 2026 at 9:00 AM: Information Session (with Campus Tour)
24 September 2026 at 1:00 PM: Campus Tour
For further details or registration for the events, please visit the YK Pao School Hong Kong official website at www.ykpaoschool.edu.hk or contact our Admissions Office at +852 2185 9503, where our admissions team will be delighted to assist you.
Today is a prelude and a pledge.
YK Pao School Hong Kong sets sail today, walking hand in hand with the future. We look forward to connecting with more aspiring families to witness the endless potential of every child.
