DC_2024WholeSchoolPhotoYearBook-1

The Explorer Newsletter

The Explorer Newsletter

Explorer

In Memory of Danny Ten Berge

It has been a heavy week here on campus as we have grappled with the tragic loss of one of our Y12 students, Danny Ten Berge. 
 
What has been consistently apparent is how remarkably this community comes together to support one another. With Monday's return to school, we witnessed students and staff being present for one another and holding space for our collective grief, and we welcomed counsellors and other supporting staff from ESF Centre, other schools, and the wider Hong Kong community. 
 
We have set up a memorial space in school, where students and staff have been able to spend quiet reflective time sharing memories and pictures of Danny. The space will remain open through the end of next week, and we invite all members of the community to visit it in the 3F Nanjing room. 
 
We continue to grieve, and our hearts are with the Ten Berge family. Thank you for the consideration and support you have given to our community. If you would like to request additional support for yourself or your children, please reach out to your child's teacher, our counsellors, or a member of our Senior Leadership Team. 
 
 
 

Our Final day with Year 13

Today marked a special moment at Discovery College as we welcomed our Year 13 students for their final day with the whole college before they begin study leave ahead of their exams. It was a day filled with warmth, appreciation, and community—an opportunity to recognise not only the hard work our students have put in, but also the character and confidence they have shown along the way.


The day began in the canteen, where our leadership team served breakfast to the students. This simple gesture set the tone for the morning: relaxed, welcoming, and focused on saying a heartfelt thank you before the intensity of exam preparation begins. From there, we came together for a series of team-building activities and games, from duck-duck-goose, to bench ball and parachute games, this brought out lots of laughter and took us back to our Year 1 selves. One of the most meaningful parts of the day was the moment when students received hand-written letters of gratitude from teachers. These letters reflected the personal impact Year 13 students have had across the school—through commitment in lessons, leadership, kindness, and the way they contribute to the Discovery College community.

As the celebration drew to a close, we culminated the day with something truly memorable: a whole college guard of honour. Students and staff lined the campus to applaud Year 13 as they made their final walk through Discovery College to begin their study leave. Seeing our school come together like this was a powerful reminder of what makes a community strong—support, pride, and collective encouragement.

To Year 13: thank you for the energy, effort, and excellence you’ve brought to Discovery College. As you step into study leave, we wish you focus, confidence, and calm. We know you are ready for what comes next—and we will be cheering you on all the way.

Upcoming Musical Event: DC Ensemble Evening

The music department is delighted to invite you to one of the most anticipated events of our musical calendar: Ensemble Evening 2026

Our dedicated young musicians are busy preparing tirelessly in rehearsals during Terms 2 and 3 as we put the final touches on our repertoire. Audiences will enjoy a range of music styles including Motown, Classical, Pop and R&B performed by our DC Chamber Orchestra, Cobra Choir, Secondary Choir and high energy Stage Band.

 

Event Details:

Date: 19 May

Time: 6pm

Venue: DC Theatre

Admission: Free

This concert is a celebration of our vibrant music culture here at DC and we welcome all students, staff, parents, care-givers, family and friends to attend. Come and support our performers as they take the stage and enjoy a wonderful night of music right here at school.

We look forward to seeing you there!

 

Inspiration Exploration: Year 10 and 11 at M+

 

On Tuesday afternoon, our Year 10 and 11 Visual Art students attended the fine art galleries of M+ to connect classroom theories with masterpieces. Encountering Zao Wou Ki’s artistic journey as a painter and printmaker, and eventual arrival at pure abstraction, the trip fuelled specific inquiries that unfold in the MYP Arts curriculum.

 

Rooted in our Hong Kong context, the trip provided a vital and authentic opportunity for students to engage in primary source retrieval. A highlight for both year groups was the hands-on Printmaking workshop, where students explored technical processes that they can now apply directly to current units.

 

The visit supported  the current Year 10 unit, Abstract Horizons, promoting further investigation into abstract landscapes, analyzing purposeful painting techniques and colour to understand nuanced meaning. Lively debates regarding whether abstract art must start with a source or can remain purely formal ensued.

 

Meanwhile, Year 11 students used the trip to launch their Independent Study unit, which fully embraces inquiry with the design cycle. They explored the works of Zao Wou Ki, Robert Rauschenberg, and the museum’s permanent collection to gain inspiration and primary sources for their final projects. The ultimate goal is for these students to learn from the masters while developing a unique artistic language.

 

The expected learning outcomes for the day were significant and now in the studio, students are already transferring images and gallery notes into inspired action.

MYP Personal Project Exhibition: 29 April

 

Over the past few months, Year 11 students have been dedicated to completing their Personal Projects, developing new skills, and exploring a wide range of topics that matter to them. Through this process, they have created final products that reflect their learning and growth, and we are excited to share these with you.

On behalf of the Class of 2028, we are delighted to invite you to this year’s Personal Project Exhibition at Discovery College, taking place on 29 April 2026 from 10:10am to 18:00pm, in the Theatre on the ground floor. 

This year’s exhibition theme is “Library – Beyond the Shelves.” Students chose this theme to represent how a library is more than just a place for books. It is a space for discovery, creativity, and the sharing of ideas. In the same way, their personal projects go beyond surface-level understanding, reflecting their individual interests, perspectives, and passions.

Visitors will be able to explore a wide range of topics, much like exploring different sections of a library, with projects organised according to the global contexts chosen by students. From food to sports to science, there is something for everyone. We invite you to step beyond the shelves and immerse yourself in this meaningful and inspiring experience.

Click here to view the 2026 Project Brochure.

The MYP Personal Project has been both challenging and rewarding. It has pushed them to think critically, solve problems, collaborate with supervisors and peers, and discover new interests and abilities. The exhibition will be a special opportunity for students to present their hard work and share their journeys. As you explore, you will be able to ask questions, learn about different topics, and gain insight into their experiences.

Year 11 looks forward to welcoming you on 29 April 2026, from 10:10am to 18:00pm, and we are excited to share our Personal Project journeys with you.

Shown below is the schedule for visits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

YRock Music Programme at Discovery College

YRock will be offering two exciting ECA Rock Programmes at Discovery College this upcoming term, starting 20 April. These programmes, YRock 101 and YRock School will provide wonderful opportunities for students to explore music, develop their skills, and experience the joy of performing together.

 

YRock 101 (Year 4 -Year 13)

 

  • Objective is to help young musicians develop musicianship and build a solid musical foundation by learning the basics of key modern band instruments: guitar, bass, keyboard, drums and vocals.
  • Learn to listen to and play with others in a band setting on multiple instruments.
  • Beginners are welcome and students will be grouped according to age and ability.
  • Two date options for YRock 101: Mondays 5:00pm; or Saturdays 10:00am

 

Term 3 dates for classes are as follows:

 

Mondays (5:00-5:55pm)

Apr 20, 27

May 4, 11, 18

Jun 1, 8, 15

Saturdays (10:00-10:55am)

Apr 27

May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Jun 6

 

YRock School (Year 7-Year 13)

  • Designed for more experienced students to continue on a chosen instrument and form bands.
  • Students will develop stronger band skills through full-group rehearsals, while building confidence in performing, a deeper musical understanding, and clear progress throughout the term.
  • Enrolment in YRock School programme requires demonstrated proficiency on the instrument.
  • YRock School runs on Saturdays 11:00am

Term 3 dates for classes are as follows:

 

Saturdays (11:00-11:55am)

Apr 27

May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Jun 6

 

Watch Video 

 

All lessons are held at Discovery College secondary music rooms, at $315/lesson; and students will all be invited to perform at the End of Term Gig at THE WANCH in Wanchai on Saturday, 13 June. Please contact Miriam directly at 6180-0817 or miriam@yrockhk.com for any questions or enrolment details. 

 

Upcoming Parent Education Workshops

ESF School's City Nature Challenge 2026

We are excited to announce the launch of the ESF Schools City Nature Challenge 2026, taking place from 17 April to 1 May. 

 

The City Nature Challenge offers students a unique opportunity to become citizen scientists while learning about and appreciating Hong Kong’s rich biodiversity. Observations can be made anywhere across Hong Kong, making this a truly inclusive event for all members of our school communities.

 

We encourage teachers, parents, and children to join together to explore nature and record their findings. To participate, simply download the iNaturalist app onto your device, join the ESF project and start documenting the plants, animals, and fungi you encounter.

 

Let’s build on our success from last year and make an even greater impact in 2026. Together, we can foster a deeper understanding of our local environment and inspire the next generation of sustainability champions.

 

Please find all the information you need on this website.

 

Student Withdrawal - Deadline: 30 April 2026

Parents are reminded that Thursday, 30 April 2026, is the deadline to notify the College if a student will not be returning in August 2026.

 

Parents who wish to withdraw their child from Discovery College are required to submit a Student Withdrawal Form via the ESF App (tap the Ding! icon in the app and scroll down to "Forms"). This online form is the only official method for notification. 

 

Deposit & Fees - Upon entry, all DC students paid a two-month deposit. The first half was applied to the first month’s fees; the remaining half is credited against the final month of enrollment, provided a two-month advance notice is given. To apply this credit to June 2026 (the end of the current academic year), notice must be received by 30 April 2026. Please note that subsequent changes to the final attendance date or cancellations of withdrawal may be declined.

 

Account Balances - Please ensure all outstanding balances are settled. The ESF Billing team can only apply the deposit credit once all other invoices are paid. To check your balance, go to the ESF App/Ding and tap on ‘ePayment account transaction/balance’. For ePayment questions, please contact e-payment@dc.edu.hk.

 

Current Year 13 students graduating at the end of the current 2025-26 academic year,  do not have to submit the Student Withdrawal form.

 

For more information on the Withdrawal Procedure, please click here. Should you have any questions, please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@dc.edu.hk.

School Photos - Order deadline 19 April

 
We are pleased to inform you that we have extended our second and final print run for this year's school portraits up until midnight on Sunday, 19 April. 
 
You can access your gallery from the original email sent on 13 March.  
 
If you have any problems accessing your gelleries please email to schoolportraits@colsimphotography.com

DC School Council Summary Report

Please read summary report of the School Council meeting held on 16 March 2026.

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