ALUMNI PERSPECTIVES Growing up at HKA BY SUHAIL BINDRA, HKA ALUMNI


I spent my childhood and adolescence at HKA, and have benefited greatly from the institution. I arrived at HKA when I was 5 years old from New Delhi, and was there from Grade 1 to Grade 12. I recently graduated in 2013, and am currently studying a 4 year ‘Bachelor of Laws’ degree at the University of Hong Kong. I fondly remember Teresa Richman and Ben Frankel who founded the school. Since then, I have watched HKA grow from a primary school and kindergarten, and subsequently develop a comprehensive MYP and IB diploma programme in later years.


HKA prepared me very well for the IB Diploma. While the school itself is young, it more than makes up for this with experienced teachers. Teachers of every subject were not only knowledgeable and able to teach effectively, but also approachable individuals who sincerely cared about our academic development and went beyond what would be reasonably expected to ensure that we excelled. I took advantage of the small student to teacher ratio, one of the many desirable traits of HKA, and found my queries welcomed by all teachers. HKA’s ‘open door’ policy makes it very easy for students to take advantage of a wealth of information that teachers possess, and essentially open doors for their own future.


From an early age, I took to music as one of my main hobbies. I was introduced to the guitar by Mr. Needham in Grade 6, and my interest in music led me to found the Coffee House Series. The development of this organization tells the story of HKA. It is an event where students, staff, administrators and parents come together to celebrate various forms of performance and visual art talents of students. What makes HKA special is that everyone works so well with each other, and this community spirit that I witnessed is the distinguishing feature of the school. I hope that as the school transforms from a small community into a larger one, such communitarian values are preserved and HKA continues to be a highly inclusive school rather than a selective one. I always felt included at HKA and never suffered any sort of discrimination due to my cultural differences which manifested themselves in the form of long hair and a turban in later years.


HKA has thoroughly prepared me for entering the world as an adult. I feel blessed to have studied at this institution. Having had an education tailored to my needs, I find that I was able to excel more quickly than I would have in a larger institution. I have given 12 years of my life to HKA, and HKA has returned to me a wealth of information and expertise that I will cherish for the rest of my years. Although I miss HKA, I am having a great time at the University of Hong Kong. I have a new set of friends and mentors who will help me to continue developing in my adult life.


PHOTO: Suhail Bindra is a member of the Class of 2013. In May 2013 he scored a perfect 45 on his IB Diploma exam. He is now studying law at the University of Hong Kong.


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