(......Continued)

Bringing schools into the fold
Our partner schools provide excellent support for our student teachers, but the relationship works both ways - we also help schools and teachers improve by demonstrating and helping them develop innovative teaching and learning techniques.

Prominent in this role is the Centre for the Development of School Partnership and Field Experience, which, as well as improving field experience for our students, also promotes innovative education approaches for the benefit of the community. Instead of treating schools simply as sources of student placement, the Centre encourages schools to become our partners, particularly in the areas of innovative teaching, staff development and peer observation. So far we have 141 partnership schools (31 secondary and 110 primary).

The important developmental role of the Centre in field experience was acknowledged in the "Teaching and Learning Quality Process Reviews" in June 2002, which noted that the Centre has brought coherence in relation to field experience and done so in a very short time.

The Centre is currently running three major externally funded projects: the QEF funded Progressive and Innovative Primary Schools (PIPS) project, the Secondary Teaching and Mentoring (STEM) project and the EMB Mentorship Training project. The work of these three projects is complementary, facilitating the development of a school culture that supports both serving teachers and student teachers.

The PIPS project involves 17 primary schools and aims to enhance teachers' all-round classroom skills via lesson study and mentoring activities.

The STEM Project aims to develop and improve key skills for Hong Kong's secondary school teachers and was the second largest project award in the latest round of QEF bids.

The aim of the Mentorship Training Project is to train about 200 school mentors each year providing them with in-depth conceptual understanding, knowledge and skills in professional mentoring.

In addition, in 2002-03, the Centre received more than HK$11 million from QEF and the Curriculum Development Institute to conduct over 50 Lesson Study projects involving some 200 teachers.

Leading by design
In September 2002, in the heart of the campus, the doors of the HKIEd Jockey Club Primary School opened for the purpose of providing quality education. The schoolÕs mission is to create an inviting and innovative learning environment where children not only discover answers but also pose questions.

Set in green surroundings with spacious courtyards, this "dream school" is already a prize-winner, having won the Hong Kong Institute of Architects' Medal of the Year Award 2002. The architectural design is an integral part of curricular initiatives, inspiring staff and students in the lush freshness of spacious terraces and wide open spaces to promote environmental awareness, develop creativity and engage in cross-curricular projects.