ISLAND SCHOOL: CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

A Documentary by Sean Francis Ellis

 

The newly constructed Island School in 1974 (at left), opposite the former British Military Hospital, overlooking Central District and Hong Kong Harbour.

Between 1986 and 1990, I attended Island School in Hong Kong - a secondary school first opened by the English Schools Foundation in 1967.  This unique institution has provided a world-class education to thousands of foreign and local students, throughout fifty years of rapid growth and cultural change in Hong Kong.

Why make a film about the school?

In 2017, Island School turned fifty. To mark the occasion, anniversary celebrations and a gala reunion were being planned in Hong Kong. Having returned to Australia in 1991, I was excited to reunite with former classmates now living around the world, but also sad to learn the school buildings, which opened in 1974, would be demolished in 2018.  I decided to make a film that would document the existing buildings before they were gone forever, and also tell the story of thousands of alumni, who call themselves "Islanders". 

Filming in Hong Kong - June 2017

While attending the 50th anniversary celebrations, I filmed interviews with thirty current and former staff and students, who recounted the school’s history and remembered life in Hong Kong over five decades, providing context for hundreds of images -- many sourced from Chris Forse’s 2007 book, “No Ordinary School”. New video of the school, combined with archival footage from each decade, bring their stories to life, taking viewers on a nostalgic journey through cultural, political and personal events, culminating with the 50th celebrations, which attracted hundreds of Islanders from around the world. 

The completed film was released on DVD & Blu-ray disc in September, 2021.  Although DVD & Blu-ray copies are sold out, you can still order the five segments as digital downloads, by emailing: seanfrancisellis@gmail.com.