Latest news with #Queen's College
South China Morning Post
20-07-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
How to choose between single-sex vs coed schools in Hong Kong
Deciding on an educational path can be confusing for parents, with myriad considerations making choosing schools seem an insurmountable task. Which education system or curriculum is best? Would a public, private or international institution be most appropriate? And what about day schools versus boarding schools? Then, further complicating the issue, is the choice between coed and single-sex schools. Advertisement In Hong Kong, single-sex schools were established in the late 19th century, mostly by missionary groups. Some of the most popular schools from this period include St. Joseph's College, a Catholic boys' school; and Queen's College, a government-funded boys' school established by the British government in 1862. After World War II, the number of single-sex schools in Hong Kong proliferated in response to a significant increase in educational demand. A series of co-educational reforms were introduced in the 1980s and 90s, but this didn't diminish the popularity of gender-specific institutions. Today, single-sex schools remain relatively popular in Hong Kong, with experts estimating that they account for up to 40 per cent of schools in the city. Some of the most notable examples include Diocesan Girls' School, Maryknoll Convent School, La Salle College and Good Hope School. But just how relevant are these single-sex schools for parents making this choice for their children? Experts acknowledge that gender-specific schools better cater to the development of each sex. Photo: Eugene Lee 'I believe parents are choosing [single-sex schools] for their reputation, their academic achievements and perceived prestige, not because they are single-sex,' says Ruth Benny, founder of admissions consultancy Top Schools. 'Many parents [in Hong Kong] choose single-sex schools as they believe they can provide a more tailored learning environment specifically designed to meet the needs of boys or girls,' explains Julianna Yau, director of local education specialists Ampla Education. '[But] some parents prefer coed for secondary [school] as they recognise the importance of social skills and interaction between the genders.' Experts generally acknowledge that boys and girls develop at different rates and will have disparate interests and motivations. It follows that – theoretically at least – gender-specific schools would better cater to the development of each sex, thereby justifying their continued popularity. Advertisement Separate tailored experiences can be offered for each sex: for example, boys might thrive in shorter classes with frequent breaks, while girls may do better with group work. Additionally, single-gender classrooms may give students more confidence in speaking up in lessons.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
First public use Padel courts in Taunton to open
PADEL is a sport many people in Taunton will know but will be unable to play in town - well, now that is set to change. Taunton's first-ever public use Padel courts are set to open, with the development of six panoramic padel courts being built on the Queen's College campus. READ MORE: Queen's College bids farewell to fourteen staff members Advertisement READ MORE: Queen's College to become South West hub for PaceLab The Taunton college has teamed up with Smash Padel to produce these courts, which will be open to the public all year round. Fully covered with canopies and playable in all weather conditions, these new facilities will elevate the school's already impressive sports facilities and also expand community access to the fastest-growing sport in the world. Taunton's first-ever Padel courts are set to open. (Image: Queen's College) Planned areas to go with the new Padel courts at Taunton's Queen's College. (Image: Queen's College) Advertisement What is Padel? Unfamiliar with Padel? The sport is a racket sport that combines elements of tennis and squash, typically played in doubles on an enclosed court with walls. The walls are often made of glass and metallic mesh, and players can use them to bounce the ball, similar to squash. Kim Dawkins, Bursar at Queen's College, commented:'This is an exciting development for Taunton. With no padel courts currently available in the area and a huge demand for the sport, these new facilities will make a real impact. "The six covered courts, operated by Smash Padel, will be open to the general public, ensuring that our local community can enjoy this fast-growing sport.' Advertisement Smash Padel is known for delivering a comprehensive padel program for players of all ages and abilities. The group have made significant strides in growing junior participation through its bespoke junior pathways and Performance Academy, which draws young talent from across the UK. Tom Bell, Director of Sport at Queen's College, added: 'Smash Padel align perfectly with our values of keeping sport accessible for all and providing high-quality coaching to nurture talent at a grassroots level. "Whether pupils are experienced players or picking up a racket for the first time, they will benefit enormously from having these courts on site. We're already looking forward to integrating padel into our sports offering at Queen's.' Advertisement Smash Padel's commitment to grassroots growth was recently recognised by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), who honoured them with a Service Excellence Award for their outstanding work in community engagement and junior development. With a team of passionate, professional coaches, Smash are creating vibrant padel communities that promote health and wellbeing, connection and lots of fun. Carson Russell, Chief Operating Officer at Smash Padel, said: 'From inclusivity and coaching excellence to long-term development and community building, Queen's College shares many of the values that define Smash Padel. This partnership creates the perfect environment for a meaningful and lasting collaboration.' An official opening date is yet to be revealed for the new public-use padel courts in Taunton. For updates on construction progress and timeline, please visit the Smash Padel website at
